In a significant shake-up ahead of its 2025 fall schedule announcement, NBC has officially canceled the much-anticipated spin-off series Suits: LA after just one season. The show, which followed the story of entertainment lawyer Ted Black, played by Stephen Amell, will air its series finale on May 18, 2025, at 9/8c.
Suits: LA was developed following a resurgence of interest in the original Suits series, which enjoyed a remarkable streaming success on platforms like Netflix, racking up a record-breaking 57.7 billion minutes of viewership in 2023. However, despite this momentum, the new series struggled to capture a similar audience. Following its debut in February 2025, Suits: LA initially attracted 2.6 million viewers, but those numbers quickly declined, settling at just over 1 million viewers in subsequent weeks, according to reports from Deadline.
The series was not alone in facing a harsh reality; NBC has announced multiple cancellations, including other shows like The Irrational, Found, Night Court, and Lopez vs. Lopez. This decision reflects a broader trend within the network, as it prepares to streamline its lineup in anticipation of the upcoming upfronts.
Critics noted that Suits: LA lacked the charm and engaging storytelling that characterized its predecessor. The show attempted to revitalize interest by incorporating original cast members, including Gabriel Macht, who reprised his role as Harvey Specter. Despite these efforts, the series was described as having a disjointed narrative and failing to resonate with audiences.
According to TC Phillips from Deadline, the show averaged a 0.17 rating in the 18-49 demographic, making it one of NBC's lowest-rated series of the season. The show's premise revolved around Ted Black, a federal prosecutor turned entertainment lawyer in Los Angeles, navigating the high-stakes world of celebrity law while managing a law firm he co-founded. However, the series struggled to maintain viewer interest, with its ratings dropping sharply after the initial premiere.
As NBC continues to evaluate its programming, the cancellation of Suits: LA raises questions about the future of the Suits franchise. The first spin-off, Pearson, which starred Gina Torres, also faced a similar fate, being canceled after just one season in 2019.
Industry analysts suggest that the shift in viewing habits, particularly among younger audiences who prefer binge-watching content on streaming platforms, may have contributed to the struggles of Suits: LA. Many fans of the original series likely found it challenging to adjust to the traditional weekly release model.
Despite the disappointment surrounding Suits: LA, the original series remains a beloved staple for many viewers. The ongoing success of Suits on streaming platforms indicates a potential for future projects within that universe, although the recent cancellations serve as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by spin-offs in capturing the essence of their predecessors.
As NBC prepares to unveil its 2025-26 schedule, the network faces the task of balancing new content with established favorites. While shows like Happy’s Place and the One Chicago franchise have secured renewals, the fate of many other series remains uncertain.
Ultimately, the cancellation of Suits: LA highlights the unpredictable nature of television programming and the ever-evolving landscape of viewer preferences. Fans of the Suits franchise will undoubtedly be left wondering what could have been, while NBC continues to navigate the complexities of its programming strategy.
As the network gears up for its upfronts on May 12, it will be interesting to see how these changes impact its future direction and what new offerings will emerge to capture the attention of viewers.
