Suits LA Spinoff Just Made A Bold New Casting Choice

Highlights

• Cast of standout actors, including Lex Scott Davis, highlights Suits LA spinoff with fresh characters and narrative twist.
• The LA-based spinoff promises to extend the legacy of Suits into new territory with ambitions of surpassing past expectations.
• Thematic expansion and new casting choices reflect a drive to balance visual appeal with solid storytelling in the Suits franchise.

The Suits spinoff Suits LA has just made a bold new casting decision, stirring excitement among fans of the original series. NBC is eager for this latest extension of the popular USA Network show to surpass the reception of its 2019 equivalent, Pearson.

The previous spinoff, which centered on Gina Torres’ character Jessica Pearson, did not achieve the success of its predecessor, despite high expectations. The potential for spin-offs to outshine their original series is well documented, however. For instance, The Simpsons, among the world’s longest-running animated series, began as a series of shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show.

Similarly, the American adaptation of The Office, distinguished by five Primetime Emmy wins, has eclipsed the British original in popularity and acclaim.

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As far as the upcoming Suits LA goes, several cast members of the show had already been previously announced, but the production recently revealed an exciting addition, in the form of Training Day actress Lex Scott Davis.

Lex Scott Davis Will Play The Female Lead In Suits LA

In late February 2024, it was reported on Deadline Magazine that Lex Scott Davis would take on the female lead role in the pilot episode for the much-anticipated Suits LA. The series promises to extend the legacy of Suits with a fresh narrative and setting. At the heart of the story is Ted Black, a sharp former federal prosecutor who has left New York behind. He finds new purpose in Los Angeles, where he, alongside his old friend Stuart Lane, has established Black Lane Law.

The firm excels in both criminal and entertainment law, but faces a crucial juncture, threatening its survival. Consequently, Black is forced to adopt a role he once viewed with disdain. Into this complex world steps Davis's character, Erica Rollins, a dynamic and ambitious talent within the firm. Erica works directly for Ted. In the Deadline report, her character is described as "shrewd enough to test the loyalty of her associates only to admire some of them for not having any."

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Production for Suits LA was set to commence in March 2024, with Vancouver, Canada, serving as the backdrop for the series’ Los Angeles setting. The show is not a direct continuation of the original Suits, but is seen more as an extension of its universe. This approach mirrors how shows like CSI and NCIS have expanded into broader franchises, introducing new characters and settings, while maintaining the spirit of the original.

Lex Scott Davis Starred In Rebel Before Being Cast In Suits LA

Lex Scott Davis could potentially be catapulted into global superstardom with her new role as Erica Rollins in Suits LA. However, she has already established herself with a number of roles on both the big screen as well as on TV. Davis’ career took off in 2015 when she portrayed Toni Braxton in the Lifetime television film Toni Braxton: Unbreak My Heart.

Following this debut, Davis quickly made her mark on television, co-starring in the CBS crime drama series Training Day. Her journey into film began in 2018, with significant roles in Superfly, The First Purge and Foster Boy. That same year, she also played a lead role in the ABC pilot For Love, although it never got to advance to series.

Lex Scott Davis' Pre-Suits LA Filmography

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Davis’ career continued to evolve with a recurring role in the Showtime drama series The L Word: Generation Q in 2019, followed by a pivotal role in the ABC series Rebel in 2020, where she played the daughter of Katey Sagal's title character. This role became her longest-running ever.

Stephen Amell Is One Of The Other Stars Of Suits LA

Aside from Lex Scott Davis, Suits LA already boasts the talents of two other prominent actors. Stephen Amell, famous for his roles in the Arrowverse and Heels, is set to portray the leading character Ted Black. Alongside Amell, former star of The Walking Dead Josh McDermitt has been cast as Ted's old friend and new partner, Stuart Lane.

These particular casting choices continue an emphasis on appealing aesthetics, a hallmark of the original Suits series. Beatrice Springborn, president of Universal International Studios and UCP, shared with Variety in November 2023 insights into the casting philosophy for Suits and Suits LA. The series aims to replicate the original's allure by featuring "the same energy and good looking people."

However, Springborn was quick to underline that while the show's visual appeal is undeniable, its success hinges on far more than just appearances. "It is amazing looking people in great clothes but at the core of it you can’t have a show that’s successful with just that,” she said. “It has to have great storytelling and great character work. So how do you do something that can be ongoing, have a gloss to it, and be a continuing series that everyone wants?”