“I Hadn’t Seen The Original”: Stephen Amell Teases Preparation For Suits: LA Spinoff Ahead Of Filming

Suits: LA lead star Stephen Amell shares an update about his preparations before the show starts production. Not even a year since Suits‘ surprise Netflix domination, the Aaron Korsh-created universe is officially revived with a new expansion series. Instead of a revival or a reboot, debuting a fresh show that exists in the same universe is NBCUniversal’s way of capitalizing on the legal drama’s newfound success. Taking place on the West Coast, Suits: LA will focus on a new law firm handling cases about the entertainment industry, with Amell’s Ted Black.

Speaking with Deadline, Amell reveals his preparation process for playing Ted in Suits: LA. The actor is careful not to reveal any spoilers but has nothing but great things to say about his co-stars. Personally, however, he admits that he hadn’t seen the show before, and is now familiarizing himself with it. Read his full quote below:

I went into it without a ton of expectations because you never know what they’re going to be looking for. But the script is great. The cast, most of which has been announced on your website, is really excellent. Both Lex [Scott Davis] and Josh [McDermitt], who I got a chance to do chemistry reads with, are sensational. The pilot has more words per page than I have said in my entire career, by a factor of five. I’m just going to be a bit of a nervous wreck until we actually get on set and start shooting, which is in just about 27 days. Whatever, who’s counting? No, I’m really excited, and I’ve also really been enjoying the show. I hadn’t seen the original, and I’m familiarizing myself because I think certain shows, they’ll have a syntax to them.

How Amell’s Suits: LA Character May Connect To Suits

Unlike Pearson, which is the first Suits spinoff, Suits: LA will feature an all-new ensemble. Physically separating them from previous settings, such as New York City and Chicago, makes it easier for Korsh to craft an entirely fresh pocket of the burgeoning universe. Per the premise, Ted and his partner, Stuart Lane, built the Los Angeles firm, and when the show starts, the organization will be in crisis. Despite initial information not tying any of them to legacy characters, Teds’s past as a former federal prosecutor from New York sets up a connection between him and Harvey Specter.

When Suits premiered, Harvey Specter was on the precipice of being promoted to being a Senior Partner at Pearson, Hardman. That being said, before that, he worked at the DA’s office under District Attorney Cameron Dennis. He left after he learned of his old boss’ penchant for tampering with evidence. Assuming that Ted was also in New York during this time it’s possible that he and Harvey had run-ins with each other. Perhaps, they even mingled in the same social circles. This is a great opening for Korsh to bring Harvey and other Suits characters to Suits: LA.

Considering what’s known about Suits: LA, it seems like Korsh is trying to differentiate it from his original creation as much as possible. However, this doesn’t mean that the spinoff can’t use nostalgia and the previously established Suits to its spinoff’s advantage. Tying Ted to Harvey more subtly is a great way to do that.