It’s not every day that a series, which originally had a modest following, skyrockets to massive success years after its original broadcast. But that’s exactly what happened with Suits, the legal dramedy that captivated audiences when it made its way to Netflix. After its nine-year run on USA Network, the show has racked up more views on Netflix in just six months than it did in almost a decade on television.
A Surprising Streaming Success
Su**ts had a modest yet steady fan base during its original airing, running from 2011 to 2019. However, once the entire series was made available on Netflix, something incredible happened. Viewers flocked to the series in droves, devouring episodes at a pace that surprised even its creator, Aaron Korsh, and its former star, Meghan Markle. The show’s resurgence on the streaming platform has led to some impressive viewing numbers, which have sparked reactions from both Korsh and Markle.
Meghan Markle, who played the charming Rachel Zane, expressed her delight over the newfound popularity of the series. During a Variety event, she reminisced about the time she spent on Suits, saying, “Isn’t it wild? It was such a great experience working with an amazing cast and crew. We had so many fun moments. I was part of the show for seven seasons, so it lasted quite a while.” She went on to explain why the series was doing so well on Netflix: “It’s hard to find a show that you can binge-watch so many episodes of these days. Maybe that’s why it’s resonating so much. But good shows never disappear.”
Suits Becomes the Most-Watched Series of the Year in Streaming
Since arriving on Netflix, Suits has broken records. According to Nielsen data, the show accumulated an incredible 57.7 billion minutes watched, making it the most-viewed series in streaming for the year. Even more impressively, it became the first show to surpass 3 billion minutes watched for seven consecutive weeks. This kind of success is rare, and it highlights how a show can find a whole new life through streaming, reaching audiences far beyond its original air date.
A Highly Anticipated Spin-Off: Suits: LA
The success of Suits on streaming wasn’t just limited to its viewership numbers. The show’s revival has also led to a highly anticipated spin-off. Suits: LA, which premiered earlier this year on NBC, picks up the story with a new cast of characters, including Ted Black, played by Stephen Amell (known for his role in Arrow). The series follows Ted, a former federal prosecutor from New York whose business is in trouble. In order to survive, Ted must take on a role he’s long despised. The official synopsis reads, “Ted is surrounded by a group of people who must prove their loyalty to him while constantly mixing their personal and professional lives.”
Although Suits: LA has been running on NBC, its future in other countries, such as France, remains uncertain. The series is set to continue airing on NBC until May 4, and fans are eagerly awaiting to see if it will get a global release.
The continued popularity of Suits, especially in its new streaming format, proves just how powerful platforms like Netflix can be in giving older shows a second chance. What’s next for the world of Suits? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure — the series’ legacy in the streaming world is far from over.
