Suits franchise explained - how do the spin-offs connect to original Meghan Markle series?

*Suits spoilers follow*

The Suits universe is set to expand with a brand new spin-off slated for release later this month.

The legal drama found renewed success in 2023, four years after its original run ended, becoming a massive hit on streaming platforms Netflix and Peacock. The show repeatedly broke its own viewership records, drawing in impressive numbers week after week.

This success led to the greenlighting of a new Los Angeles-based spin-off, with Suits creator Aaron Korsh returning to steer the ship.

This isn't the first offspring from the original nine-season series. So, here's everything you need to know about the franchise before its much-anticipated return, reports the Mirror.

Suits

Set against the backdrop of a fictitious New York City corporate law firm, Suits revolves around college dropout Mike Ross (Patrick J Adams), whose photographic memory secures him a job under accomplished lawyer Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht). The series tracks their journey as they tackle high-stakes cases while concealing Mike's secret of never attending law school.

The cast also includes Rick Hoffman as scheming law partner Louis Litt, Meghan Markle as driven paralegal Rachel Zane, Sarah Rafferty as legal secretary Donna Paulsen, and Gina Torres as the firm's control-freak managing partner, Jessica Pearson.

The inaugural season, shot in Toronto, premiered in 2011 to widespread praise. Eight more seasons ensued, culminating in a total of 134 episodes.

The series reached a pivotal moment in season five when Mike's world was shattered after he was convicted of fraud and sent to prison. The plot took another dramatic turn when Torres, Adams, and Markle exited the show after season seven.

Seasons eight and nine welcomed Grey's Anatomy's Katherine Heigl as Samantha Wheeler, while Amanda Schull (Katrina Bennett) and Dule Hill (Alex Williams) were elevated to regular cast members.

However, the new additions couldn't recreate the charm of the original cast, leading to a significant drop in viewer ratings for the final episodes.

Fans can revisit all the courtroom drama with the official Suits rewatch podcast Sidebar, hosted by original stars Adams and Rafferty.

Each week, the duo recap episodes of the popular drama, sharing their personal experiences and interviewing fellow cast members.

Pearson

After the firm issued a statement naming Jessica as the sole person accountable for Mike's fraud, she was prohibited from practicing law in New York.

During Suits' seventh season, Jessica chose to relocate to Chicago to start anew and found herself in the unfamiliar realm of dirty politics. This storyline resonated with show executives, who approved a spin-off series, titled Pearson, that followed the formidable lawyer as she navigated a new city and cutthroat attorneys. Suits' season seven finale served as a backdoor pilot for the show.

In addition to Gina Torres, the cast of Pearson also included One Tree Hill's Bethany Joy Lenz, Simon Kassianides, Eli Goree, Chantel Riley, Morgan Spector, Isabel Arraiza, DB Woodside, Wayne Duvall, and Betsy Brandt. Suits stars Gabriel Macht and Rick Hoffman also appeared as Harvey Specter and Louis Litt, respectively.

Pearson aired for one season on the cable network in 2019 but was canceled a month and a half after its season ended.

Suits creator Aaron Korsh previously spoke to Entertainment Weekly about the spin-off's lack of success, which he felt was largely due to its difference from the original series.

"We didn't embrace its similarities to the original Suits. We made a conscious decision to try to distinguish it in tone. I think the fans were like, 'This isn't Suits. This is darker and not as funny,'" he said.

Suits: LA

Suits: LA will center around a new character named Ted Black (played by Arrow's Stephen Amell). His firm is at "crisis point" as he is forced to embrace the role he's condemned his entire career.

"Ted is surrounded by a stellar group of characters who test their loyalties to both Ted and each other while they can't help but mix their personal and professional lives," the synopsis adds.

"All of this is going on while events from years ago slowly unravel that led Ted to leave behind everything and everyone he loved."

The ensemble of the show also features Josh McDermitt, Lex Scott Davis, Bryan Greenberg, Victoria Justice, Troy Winbush, Alice Lee, Rachelle Goulding, and Azita Ghanizada.

Enthusiasts of the series will be thrilled to hear that Gabriel Macht is set to return as Harvey Specter for a special three-episode storyline. A freshly released teaser for the spin-off captures the new crew reminiscing about Harvey as they gaze upon his photograph.

"Remember this guy? I never liked him. The only person I knew cockier than you," remarks Winbush's character Kevin to lead character Ted, who sharply retorts: "That's exactly why I liked him."

The anticipated comeback of Harvey is sure to inject a dose of welcome nostalgia into Suits: LA, which aims to make its mark in the wake of Pearson's fleeting run.

"We're not trying to replace our beloved originals. It's about a fresh team, in a new metropolis, tackling different legal battles," series creator Korsh reassured fans.

"It seems like people are all wishing it was the originals back. I expected this and can't blame them. I can only hope they give Suits: LA an open-minded try. If they do, I really believe they will grow to love it."

Suits is available to stream on Netflix