Stephen Amell Joins the Suits Franchise: A New Chapter in Entertainment Law

A Fresh Take on a Beloved Franchise

Stephen Amell, known for his iconic role as Oliver Queen in Arrow, is stepping into a new and exciting chapter of his career as he joins the Suits franchise with Suits LA. The show, a spinoff of the long-running legal drama Suits, focuses on the high-stakes world of entertainment lawyers in Los Angeles. Amell plays Ted Black, a complex and dynamic character who finds himself navigating both personal and professional challenges in the cutthroat legal landscape. Amell revealed that he intentionally avoided watching the original Suits series during its resurgence on Netflix, choosing instead to approach the role of Ted Black with a fresh perspective. "I didn’t know much about the resurgence of the show on Netflix. And I had mostly kept it that way," he explained. This decision allowed him to dive into the role without preconceived notions, giving him the creative freedom to shape Ted Black into a unique and compelling character.

When Amell auditioned for the role, he kept his preparation simple, even enlisting the help of his 10-year-old daughter. "I just felt like I had a good feel for it, but I also felt like it was a high-profile job, and I was lucky to be in the room," he said. Despite the pressure of joining such a well-known franchise, Amell feels grateful for the opportunity and has been focused on building strong relationships with the show’s creators, including Suits creator Aaron Korsh. "Aaron will be the first one to tell you that what he is doing is creating this fantastical world, and he’s laying these really, hugely personal moments and feelings that are personal to him throughout them," Amell shared. He believes that Korsh’s personal touch is a key reason for the franchise’s enduring success.

The Allure of Suits LA: A Blend of Drama and Fun

Suits LA offers a fresh take on the legal drama genre, blending high-stakes drama with moments of levity and humor. Amell described the show as "a lot of fun" while emphasizing that the stakes are real and the emotions are genuine. "Everything’s heightened. Everything is beautiful and pretty, and thus, attractive," he said. The show doesn’t take itself too seriously, which is part of its appeal. Amell drew comparisons to prestige TV, noting that while some shows are incredibly well-crafted, they often lack a sense of self-awareness and humor. "Some of them need to take the piss out of themselves every once and a while," he remarked.

The series begins with Ted Black, Amell’s character, navigating the criminal defense side of entertainment law, a departure from the Hollywood deals and studio negotiations one might expect. The story is deeply personal, focusing on Ted’s struggle to overcome both professional and personal obstacles. "We begin against the backdrop of entertainment law, and yet, Ted is thrust into the criminal defense side of it," Amell explained. The show also explores classic Suits tropes, including office politics, power struggles, and romantic entanglements, but with a fresh Los Angeles twist.

Los Angeles as a Character in Its Own Right

Los Angeles plays a central role in Suits LA, serving as both a backdrop and a character in its own right. The city’s iconic landmarks, from the Hollywood Hills to the Biltmore in downtown LA, add a sense of authenticity and glamour to the series. Amell noted that filming in these iconic locations brings a unique energy to the show. "It’s like, this is amazing. This is wonderful," he said. The show also delves into the inner workings of the entertainment industry, shedding light on the often-overlooked but incredibly powerful role of lawyers in Hollywood.

One of the show’s characters aptly describes Los Angeles as a "big city, small town," where everyone in the industry seems to intersect at some point. This dynamic creates a rich canvas for storytelling, as characters constantly cross paths in unexpected ways. Amell is excited to explore the entertainment industry from a legal perspective, emphasizing that "it’s always the lawyers" who hold the real power in Hollywood. From agents to studio heads, the lawyers are the ones pulling the strings, and Suits LA aims to capture that reality in a way that’s both compelling and entertaining.

From Action Hero to Suit-Wearing Lawyer: Amell’s New Challenge

For fans of Amell’s previous work, particularly his roles in Arrow and Heels, his transition to Suits LA represents a significant shift. Gone are the days of action-packed fight scenes and superhero antics; instead, Amell finds himself immersed in a world of legal jargon, boardroom negotiations, and cerebral challenges. "Yesterday I shot five scenes. The first two I was by myself, and the next two I was with a wonderful scene partner, and the last one was with two different actors. And it was just words. There might have been some fast walking, but there were certainly no stunts," he said, comparing his new role to his previous ones.

Despite the absence of physical action, Amell described the mental demands of the role as equally challenging. "The muscle that I am working hardest right now is my brain, because I have a lot of words to remember. But they’re fun words to say," he shared. While he admitted to occasionally doubting whether he’s doing enough, he trusts the creative team and feels supported by his castmates. "If they’re happy, I’m happy," he said. This new chapter in his career is a testament to Amell’s versatility as an actor and his willingness to take on roles that push him out of his comfort zone.

Balancing Old and New Fanbases: The Pressure and Excitement of a Spinoff

As a spinoff of a beloved show, Suits LA naturally comes with its own set of challenges, particularly when it comes to balancing the expectations of longtime fans of the original series with the potential to attract new viewers. Amell understands that some fans may be hesitant to embrace the new series, preferring instead to see more of the original Suits. He acknowledged that this skepticism is natural but remains confident in the show’s ability to win people over. "There are going to be some people that are very, very loud that say, ‘We don’t want season one of Suits LA, we want season 10 of Suits. I’m not gonna watch the show.’ And one of the reasons that I stay away is so that I don’t pop onto my Instagram and pop in underneath that comment and just write, in all lowercase, ‘You’re definitely going to watch,’" he said with a laugh.

Amell also reflected on his own experience with fandom, having been a part of Arrow, which had its own passionate fanbase. He expressed openness to revisiting his role as Oliver Queen in the future, under the right circumstances. "Oh, sure. Yeah, I’d love to go back and play Arrow at some point," he said. However, for now, his focus is on making Suits LA a success and creating a new legacy with the show. He believes that the majority of the show’s initial audience will be people who are new to the Suits universe, giving the series the opportunity to build its own fanbase.

Ultimately, Amell is excited about the possibility of Suits LA becoming a beloved Sunday night tradition for families and friends, much like the original Suits was for so many viewers. "That’s what we’re trying to create again," he said. With its blend of drama, humor, and a behind-the-scenes look at the entertainment industry, Suits LA has the potential to resonate with audiences in a big way.