USA Network Greenlights Gina Torres-led SUITS spinoff

Yesterday, USA Network announced the series pickup of the Gina Torres-led SUITS spinoff. Centered on powerhouse lawyer Jessica Pearson (Torres) as she adjusts to the dirty world of Chicago politics, this new drama hails from Universal Cable Productions (UCP) and is executive produced and written by SUITS creator and executive producer Aaron Korsh alongside executive producer and showrunner Daniel Arkin. Doug Liman, David Bartis and Gene Klein of Hypnotic (SUITS) and Gina Torres will also serve as executive producers.

“Gina’s portrayal of Jessica Pearson as one of television’s strongest, most successful businesswomen has made a huge impact with fans,” said Chris McCumber, President, Entertainment Networks, NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment. “We can’t wait to explore this next chapter in the SUITS legacy – and a brand new world for Jessica.”

“It was an extraordinary pleasure working with Gina on SUITS for six years. Beyond her undeniable talent, she is an incredible partner and collaborator, and I always hoped we would work together again,” shared Korsh, creator and executive producer of SUITS and the new spinoff series. “I am sincerely grateful to USA and UCP for giving Dan Arkin, my producing partners at Hypnotic and me the opportunity to continue Jessica Pearson’s journey in this new series that will encapsulate all that our fans love about her and SUITS– but with its own distinct story that will be unique to the franchise.”

“The SUITS flagship series has struck a chord with our marketing partners throughout the years as a great platform for advertising and sponsorship opportunities,” said Mark Marshall, Executive Vice President, Entertainment Advertising Sales, NBCUniversal. “This new Gina Torres-led spinoff allows us to provide those same advertisers and audiences with the content we already know they love to watch, and we’re excited to bring them this new chapter in the show’s legacy.”

When SUITS began more than seven years ago, Jessica Pearson was introduced as managing partner of one of New York City’s top corporate law firms. Through the years she remained a highly respected, formidable lawyer who helped lead her firm through the darkest times. Always putting her professional life first, Jessica left New York to follow her heart to Chicago in last year’s mid-season finale. She has made many triumphant returns to the SUITS world since and will introduce her new journey in the Windy City during the Season 7 finale, airing Wednesday, April 25, where she will rely on her wits and relationships from Pearson Specter Litt to navigate this unknown territory.

This spinoff marks USA Network’s second commitment to SUITS this year. Last month, the network renewed the flagship series for Season 8 and announced the addition of Katherine Heigl (Samantha Wheeler) to the ensemble cast which also includes Gabriel Macht (Harvey Specter), Sarah Rafferty (Donna Paulsen), Rick Hoffman (Louis Litt) and new series regular Dulé Hill (Alex Williams).

About USA Network:

USA Network, the leader in cable entertainment, offers a powerful stable of dramatic, comedic and unscripted originals in more than 102 million U.S. homes. The network also features spectacular live television, a dynamic portfolio of acquired series and the best in blockbuster theatrical films and entertainment events. A trailblazer in digital innovation and storytelling, USA is defining, driving and setting the industry standard for Social TV. USA is a program service of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal. USA’s award-winning website is located at http://www.usanetwork.com. Watch USA Network anywhere: On Demand, online or across mobile and connected TVs.

About Universal Cable Productions:

Universal Cable Productions (UCP) creates innovative and critically acclaimed original scripted content for all media platforms. Its robust slate of programming includes: the Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning drama “Mr. Robot,” the Golden Globe nominated “The Sinner,” “Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G,” “Suits,” “Colony,” “Falling Water,” and “Shooter” for USA Network; “12 Monkeys,” “Channel Zero,” “Happy!,” “Killjoys” and “The Magicians” for SYFY; “The Purge” for USA and SYFY; “Girlfriends’ Guide To Divorce” and “Imposters” for Bravo; “The Arrangement” and “The Royals” for E!; “The Umbrella Academy” for Netflix; “Impulse” for YouTube Red; and “HarmonQuest” for VRV. UCP’s content library also features critic and fan favorites such as the Emmy-award winning “Monk” as well as “Battlestar Galactica” and “Psych.” Universal Cable Productions is a part of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies. Follow us @UCPisTV.