NBC Exec Reveals Why They Canceled Suits LA: 'We Had To Make Some Hard Decisions'

Suits has long been a beloved fan-favorite series, maintaining its popularity since its debut on USA Network in 2011. Over the years, the show’s sharp writing, charismatic characters, and high-stakes legal drama earned it a loyal following. Its resurgence in recent years—fueled by the entire series becoming available on Netflix—led to a new wave of fans discovering and binging the show, further solidifying its cultural footprint. However, despite this renewed interest, the highly anticipated spin-off, Suits LA, has been canceled after just one season, as revealed in NBC’s recently released fall schedule.

Jeff Bader, NBC’s president of program planning strategy, addressed the decision in an interview with Variety, explaining that while the choice was difficult, the show simply didn’t meet the network’s expectations.

“It’s so hard to talk about shows and which ones you bring back, and Suits had a very short run, but it really just has not resonated the way we thought it would,” Bader shared. “There can be many, many reasons why—people are speculating—but it’s just not really showing the potential to grow for us in the future, unfortunately.”

Suits LA was canceled after one season. Photo by: Nicole Weingart/NBC via Getty Images.

He emphasized that the decision was based on a comprehensive evaluation of both linear and digital performance metrics. “We had to look at the performance of the shows, both on linear and on digital. We had to see which ones looked like they had growth potential. We’re analyzing how stable they are in linear ratings, how they’re performing on digital platforms, which shows are growing and which are declining. These were the factors that led to some tough choices.”

Bader also confirmed that NBCUniversal routinely evaluates whether canceled series could find a second life on Peacock. However, in the case of Suits LA, the show did not meet the criteria for a platform transition.

In contrast, the shows that did make the cut were assessed not only on current performance but also on their potential to attract new audiences. With NBC’s schedule shifting to accommodate major sports programming—such as the NBA taking over Tuesday nights—the network had to prioritize series with strong, consistent viewership and long-term viability.

“We looked at week-to-week, episode-to-episode performance across both linear and digital platforms to identify which shows had the strongest ratings trajectory,” Bader explained. “On the creative side, teams evaluated which shows had the greatest potential to capture new viewers. These were the two key factors that determined which series rose to the top.”

Suits originally aired for nine successful seasons, running from 2011 to 2019. The spin-off, Suits LA, premiered in February and featured a new legal ensemble led by Stephen Amell, Lex Scott Davis, Josh McDermitt, and Bryan Greenberg. The series also welcomed back original cast members Rick Hoffman, David Costabile, and Gabriel Macht in guest appearances, adding a nostalgic touch for longtime fans. Created and executive produced by Suits original creator Aaron Korsh, the show aired its final episode on May 11, 2025, marking the end of its brief run.