Suits: L.A. Takes Inspiration from a Real-Life Entertainment Lawyer

Suits: L.A. Takes Inspiration from a Real-Life Entertainment Lawyer

Summary

  • Suits: L.A.
    features a character inspired by real-life CAA agent Ted Chervin and aims to create a
    Suits
    universe.
  • Despite a new cast led by Stephen Amell, the spin-off aims to maintain the same feel, tone, and drama of the original.
  • The show will introduce new characters and settings while exploring the complex personal and professional lives of the characters.

As a longtime fan of the gripping legal drama “Suits,” I must say that the upcoming spin-off, “Suits: L.A.,” has certainly piqued my interest. The new show promises to maintain the intensity and charm that made the original so captivating, which is no small feat.


From 2011 to 2019, the USA Network broadcast a less boisterously acclaimed but deeply appreciated legal drama titled “Suits”. Viewers who followed it at the time grew quite fond of its narrative and characters. Among these, two standouts were Mike Ross (played by Patrick J. Adams) – a brilliant college dropout with an exceptional memory – and Harvey Specter (portrayed by Gabriel Macht), his mentor at a prestigious New York law firm. However, there was one significant yet pivotal secret that hung over Mike: though he functioned as a lawyer, he had never attended or graduated from law school.

In the year 2023, four years following its final episode, “Suits” made its appearance on both Netflix and Peacock platforms. This led to a significant increase in the show’s fanbase. To cash in on this newfound popularity, NBC Universal declared the creation of a spin-off titled “Suits: L.A.”. Noteworthy is that while “Suits: L.A.” will feature an entirely new cast, spearheaded by Stephen Amell, who rose to fame with his role in “Arrow”, there’s an intriguing twist in the narrative: the principal character appears to be modeled after a real individual.

Ted Chervin Inspired Suits: L.A.’s Protagonist

Suits: L.A. Takes Inspiration from a Real-Life Entertainment LawyerSuits: L.A. Takes Inspiration from a Real-Life Entertainment LawyerSuits: L.A. Takes Inspiration from a Real-Life Entertainment LawyerSuits: L.A. Takes Inspiration from a Real-Life Entertainment LawyerSuits: L.A. Takes Inspiration from a Real-Life Entertainment Lawyer

As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that Stephen Amell portrays a character named Ted Black, who seems to be modeled after real-life powerhouse agent Ted Chervin, a former managing director at ICM Partners and currently at CAA. This intriguing tidbit comes straight from Deadline. Interestingly, the original title for Suits: L.A. was just going to be ‘Ted’.

Just as the characters in Suits often do, I too began my journey post-Harvard Law by serving as a federal prosecutor in New York, tackling monstrous criminals and crime bosses. Akin to Black’s transition, I later ventured westward, aiming to make a name for myself in the glittering world of Hollywood talent representation.

Interestingly, Chervin admitted that his professional journey was influenced by the character Ari Gold from the TV show Entourage, who in turn was reportedly based on a real person – Ari Emanuel, CEO of Endeavor. In a TED Talk, he stated, “I swapped my Justice Department badge to strive for being a real-life Ari Gold.”

To round off the narrative, it’s worth mentioning that the original Suits series drew inspiration from Entourage. As reported by Deadline, the creator of Suits and Suits: L.A., Aaron Korsh, developed Suits as a comedy similar to Entourage but set in the world of Wall Street. The main character was modeled after Korsh’s boss at the time. However, when USA Network felt that the legal world would be more captivating than the financial world, Korsh adjusted the script accordingly.

How Is Suits: L.A. Connected to Suits?

Suits: L.A. Takes Inspiration from a Real-Life Entertainment LawyerSuits: L.A. Takes Inspiration from a Real-Life Entertainment LawyerSuits: L.A. Takes Inspiration from a Real-Life Entertainment LawyerSuits: L.A. Takes Inspiration from a Real-Life Entertainment LawyerSuits: L.A. Takes Inspiration from a Real-Life Entertainment Lawyer

Based on this context, it appears that Suits: L.A. could be more of a pre-existing show by Korsh, which was later re-named to incorporate the Suits title. The primary focus on Hollywood talent seems to suggest only a minor connection with the original Suits, as the character Black is a lawyer.

Could a spin-off series of Suits be successful, given that it shares the same writer? Given the similarities in tone and atmosphere as the original show, this is a possibility. As reported by Deadline, Korsh intends to build a Suits universe reminiscent of Yellowstone, with each show featuring new locations and characters. Additionally, the backdrop will shift from the financial world to Hollywood’s glitz and glamour, introducing an intriguing contrast between high fashion and street-smart hustle. This novel approach, pitting sunglasses and red carpets against hot dog carts and briefcases, adds a unique twist to the concept.

The show’s official tagline states that Black’s law firm is facing a critical juncture, and to keep it afloat, he must assume a role he had despised throughout his career. Therefore, Black appears to be a blend of Mike Ross and Harvey Specter, an honorable and fair man who can still effectively handle business and defend his clients in any circumstance. However, the upcoming series, Suits: L.A., may lack the intrigue of the original storyline that captivated fans – the fact that Mike Ross was unlicensed to practice law. This unresolved issue cast a shadow over every case he handled, and whenever someone got close to the truth, it generated an intensity that the new show will need to recreate in some way.

Who Else Will Be In Suits: L.A.?

Suits: L.A. Takes Inspiration from a Real-Life Entertainment LawyerSuits: L.A. Takes Inspiration from a Real-Life Entertainment LawyerSuits: L.A. Takes Inspiration from a Real-Life Entertainment LawyerSuits: L.A. Takes Inspiration from a Real-Life Entertainment LawyerSuits: L.A. Takes Inspiration from a Real-Life Entertainment Lawyer

Although the original cast members of “Suits: L.A.” won’t be returning to their roles, the show aims to retain the same lively atmosphere and attractive characters as the original series, according to Beatrice Springborn, President of Universal International Studios. Joining Matthew Amell as Black is Josh McDermitt, who will portray Stuart Lane, his old friend and partner. The creators aspire to recreate the dynamic chemistry between Macht and Adams’ characters on screen, showcasing their interactions as colleagues, friends, and sometimes rivals.

Actress Lex Scott Davis, known for roles in ‘Training Day’ and ‘The L Word: Generation Q’, will portray Erica Rollins, a promising lawyer at the firm. Actor Troy Winbush from ‘The Wilds’ will play Kevin, an old friend of Black’s character who used to be an FBI agent but now works as a private investigator. Additionally, Alice Lee, recognized for her role in ‘Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist’, will appear as Leah, a young associate attorney. Furthermore, Bryan Greenberg (‘The Mindy Project’), Rachelle Goulding (‘Firefly Lane’), Kevin Weisman (‘Alias’, ‘Goliath’, ‘Marvel’s Runaways’), and Victoria Justice (‘Victorious’) are also set to make an appearance in the series.

It’s possible that some actors from the original cast, such as Adams, Macht, Rick Hoffman, Sarah Rafferty, and Gina Torres, might make brief appearances. However, it seems very unlikely that Meghan Markle will return to her role as Rachel, given her focus on family life and her new position within the British royal family. Davis told People that while there could be some continuity from the original cast, it’s not impossible. Additionally, like in Entourage, we can expect celebrity cameos within the show’s setting in Hollywood. Already confirmed is John Amos, who will play himself as he has done in shows like Coming to America and Good Times.

The exact release date for “Suits: L.A.” hasn’t been announced yet, but it seems like we can expect it to debut somewhere between summer and fall of 2025. You can catch this new series on NBC television, as well as streaming on Peacock, NBC’s online platform. In the meantime, enjoy watching the original Suits on Netflix and Peacock.

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2024-08-11 06:01