NBC to push forward with season two after cancellation announcement? The truth behind the 'Suits: LA' fallout
NBC has officially canceled Suits: LA—the newest spinoff of the beloved Suits franchise—just weeks before its May 18 season finale, despite earlier rumors suggesting a second season was in development. This surprising move has left fans wondering: what happened to the once-promising extension of the legal drama universe?
'Suits LA.'
David Astorga/NBC
Suits: LA Canceled After One Season
After a highly anticipated launch and a strong promotional push featuring returning Suits favorites like Gabriel Macht (Harvey Specter), David Costabile (Daniel Hardman), and Rick Hoffman (Louis Litt), Suits: LA struggled to gain a foothold with viewers. Despite the hype, the series failed to generate the same excitement or viewership numbers as its predecessor.
Led by Arrow star Stephen Amell as charismatic entertainment lawyer Ted Black, Suits: LA hoped to capitalize on the renewed interest in the Suits franchise. In 2023, the original series experienced an unprecedented resurgence on Netflix, becoming the most streamed show of the year with nearly 58 billion minutes viewed, according to Nielsen.
Why Did Suits: LA Fail?
Unfortunately, the West Coast setting and new characters weren’t enough to maintain momentum. Netflix’s decision not to pick up the spinoff also played a key role in limiting its exposure. Airing solely on NBC, Suits: LA failed to achieve the viral success or streaming engagement of the original show.
While Suits thrived on binge-friendly platforms, its spinoff couldn’t replicate that formula on traditional broadcast television—a sign that audience behavior continues to shift toward on-demand, streaming-first content.
NBC’s Programming Shake-Up
The cancellation of Suits: LA is part of a larger restructuring effort at NBC. The network has also pulled the plug on Lopez vs. Lopez, Night Court, The Irrational, and Found ahead of its major upfront presentation. This strategic overhaul clears the way for high-profile additions like NBA primetime coverage coming this fall.
Despite some rumors and confusion, NBC has not greenlit a second season of Suits: LA. The series will officially conclude with its 13th episode on May 18.
The Verdict: A Streaming Hit Doesn’t Guarantee Broadcast Success
The rise and fall of Suits: LA serve as a cautionary tale for networks hoping to translate streaming success into primetime hits. While Suits broke records on Netflix, its spinoff couldn’t ride that wave back into relevance on NBC. As the entertainment landscape continues to evolve, networks may need to rethink how—and where—they introduce franchise expansions.
