Suits LA, on NBC

They are entertainment lawyers, rather than agents, but they have the same cutthroat tendencies. In fact, Ted Black was originally based on a real-life super-agent, but he suddenly earned JD, so his new series could become part of the Suits “universe.” Black was once a crusading Federal prosecutor, but after his troubles (to be disclosed over several episodes of flashbacks), he moved to the West Coast and started representing Hollywood celebrities. He willingly plays the hardest hardball to seal their deals, but he refuses on principle to use his powers in criminal court on behalf of accused felons. Unfortunately, desperate circumstances force him to bend his own rules in creator-writer Aaron Korsh’s Suits LA, which premieres this Sunday on NBC.

For fans of the original show, Gabriel Macht reportedly will reprise his role of Harvey Specter on a guest-starring basis, but that will evidently come sometime after the first three episodes provided for review. For now, Black is in the spotlight, in an uncomfortable way.

The pilot, “Seven Days a Week and Twice on Sundays” opens on the eve of what Black assumes will be a lucrative triumph. He and his partner Stuart Lane have negotiated a merger with the firm led by his former lover, Samantha Railsback, to become the biggest legal practice in LA. However, he wakes from his celebratory hangover to find a crisis erupting.

Black scrambles to save his firm with the help of his senior associates, Erica Rollins and Rick Dodsen. Awkwardly, he knows they both now expect to be promoted to head of the entertainment division, so whoever he disappoints will probably jump ship.

Much to his chagrin, Black also must argue criminal cases again, but this time for the defense. He has no choice, when Lester Thompson, one of his biggest remaining clients, is arrested on a murder charge. Fortunately, Kevin, his old investigator from his New York days, is willing to work the case, but his skepticism regarding the squirrely producer’s innocence annoys Black.

However, Kevin’s level-headed perspective helps Black keep slightly ahead of several potentially damaging disclosures in the next two episodes, “Old Man Hanrahan,” and “He Knew.” This subplot plays a bit like the case that unfolded during the first season of The Lincoln Lawyer, while the chaos enveloping the firm has throwback L.A. Law vibes, which is a promising combination.

Stephen Amell has the right swagger for Black (even though Arrowverse fans will still see him as Oliver Queen). He and Josh McDermitt (as Lane) contrast and compliment each other nicely. Frankly, the best scenes of the series so far are either their friendly flashbacks or their tense present-day encounters.

Troy Winbush also adds a lot to the series as Kevin, the somewhat cynical voice of reason. If anything, he should have even more screentime going forward, considering Bryan Greenberg and Lex Scott Davis underwhelm as Dodsen and Rollins, the rival Jedi apprentices. However, Carson A. Egan should deservedly receive a lot of attention and praise for portraying Black’s brother, Eddie, but the particulars of why involve embargoes details. For now, just trust me, he is very good.

It is also rather poignant to see the late, great John Amos playing himself, in the tradition of Entourage and Arliss, giving Black some much needed fatherly advice. Similarly, Brian Baumgartner and Patton Oswalt play themselves, but strictly for laughs.

Based on the first three episodes, Suits LA involves elements of courtroom, boardroom, and procedural dramas, all of which the Networks still know how to do well. The new series easily stands alone and apart from the original Suits, but it is definitely aimed right down the middle of the strike-zone for franchise followers. Recommended for fans of the genre[s], Suits LA starts airing this Sunday (2/23) on NBC (and streams the next day on Peacock).