In a surprising twist, Gabriel Macht is stepping back into the polished shoes of Harvey Specter for the highly anticipated spinoff ‘Suits LA,’ set to premiere this Sunday on NBC. Despite his previous declarations of being done with the character after a successful nine-season run on ‘Suits,’ Macht reveals what ultimately swayed his decision to return.
From Legal Eagle to Entertainment Powerhouse: Why Gabriel Macht Reprised Harvey Specter
Gabriel Macht, the actor synonymous with the cunning and sharply dressed Harvey Specter, originally had no plans to revisit his iconic role from ‘Suits.’ After 134 episodes and countless courtroom battles, Macht felt his journey with Harvey was complete. “I finished up on Suits and felt like we spent enough time with Harvey: nine years, 134 episodes,” Macht shared with Entertainment Weekly. His decision to leave was a mix of professional evolution and a desire to focus more on his family and personal life.
However, the persistent influence of fans and a compelling pitch from ‘Suits’ and ‘Suits LA’ creator Aaron Korsh changed his course. Macht was adamant about not returning for mere nostalgia or potential reunion specials. “I’m not really interested in doing this. I’m not interested in continuing on. The story is done, and we had a really good ride and all of that,” he initially stated.
Yet, when Korsh approached him with a fresh perspective for Harvey’s character in the new spinoff, Macht couldn’t help but reconsider. The opportunity to support a new generation in ‘Suits LA’ while ensuring his schedule remained family-friendly was a significant draw. “Aaron called me and asked me to appear on Suits LA… The focus is my family right now, and if we can create a space and an opportunity to do this, I would love to help and pass the metaphorical baton over to Stephen [Amell] and the rest of the cast,” Macht explains.
The New Era of ‘Suits LA’: Entourage Meets Mad Men
‘Suits LA’ promises to deliver a blend of sharp wit and high stakes, reminiscent of the original, but with a fresh West Coast flavor. The show introduces Ted Black (played by Stephen Amell), a former federal prosecutor and now a top entertainment lawyer, who alongside his best friend and criminal lawyer Stuart Lane (Josh McDermitt), runs the Black Lane firm. They, along with ambitious young lawyers Rick Dodson (Bryan Greenberg) and Erica Rollins (Lex Scott Davis), navigate the cutthroat world of celebrity legal battles in Los Angeles.
The dynamics of the new series hint at layers of complexity and camaraderie akin to the original ‘Suits,’ but with the added glitz and glamour of Hollywood. Macht’s Harvey Specter is set to bring his trademark charisma and cunning to the show, providing a bridge between the old guard and the new. “There seem to be elements of Ted that are very similar to Harvey… There’s a great dynamic between these guys, and there’s a strong, strong love for each other that is nice to see, two guys that have each other’s backs,” Macht hints at what’s to come.
As ‘Suits LA’ prepares to make its debut, Macht reflects on the enduring legacy of the ‘Suits’ franchise and its potential to continue evolving. His return not only serves the fans but also sets the stage for possible future cameos from other beloved characters. “They are different worlds, but I think there is some sort of connective tissue, so you never know, there might be other characters that show up and I think that would be nice for fans,” he notes.
Gabriel Macht’s unexpected return to ‘Suits LA’ is a testament to the lasting impact of the original series and its characters. As fans eagerly await the premiere, it’s clear that while the settings and faces may change, the sharp dialogue, complex characters, and enthralling legal drama that defined ‘Suits’ will continue to thrive in its Los Angeles spinoff.