The beloved legal drama TV showSuitswas a lightning-in-a-bottle project. Though it’s impossible for another series to hit on the exact same tone and character dynamic as the ones inSuits, there are still some iconic projects that scratch the same itch as the long-running show. WhileSuits L.A.failed because they’ll never be anotherSuits, these series are worth watching because they’re not trying to beSuits,but finding their own way and distinguishing themselves from what audiences typically see on TV.
ThoughSuitswasn’t the best legal drama of all time, it wasn’t just the jargon and courtroom drama that kept people interested in the show. It was the relationship between Mike and Harvey that anchored the emotional throughline of the story and made viewers excited to see what happened next. Not every series centers on a dynamic duo as iconic as Mike and Harvey, but those that do instantly are recognized as a follow-up series toSuits.There’s also a sense of fun and a strong balance between the episodic and serialized storylineson these shows that are comparable.
One Of The Defining Shows Of The Era Of Prestige TV
Considered one of the greatest TV shows of the 21st century,Mad Menis a slightly more serious and emotionally intense commitment thanSuits. However, for audiences looking to invest in a series with more serialized storytelling set against the backdrop of the changing landscape of the U.S. in the 1960s and ’70s,Mad Menis the perfect show. The corporate world of advertising isn’t too different from that of lawyers, asthe characters inMad MenandSuitshave to deal with a lot of big personalities and backroom deals.
WatchingMad Mentoday is a reminder of just how ground-breaking this series was and why it’s remembered so fondly by audiences and critics alike. The story’s pace is much more deliberate thanSuits, which moves quickly as Mike and Harvey attempt to close their cases, but this allows the viewer to spend a lot of time getting to know the characters.Comparing New York City’s corporate world in the modern era versus the period setting ofMad Menmakes watching the series all the more compelling.
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6Scandal (2012–2018)
Olivia Pope Works Outside The Law To Keep Her Clients Happy
Olivia Pope is much more than a political fixer inScandal,as it turns out that, more often than not, she’s at the heart of quite a few scandals herself. Played by Kerry Washington, Olivia has a brilliant mind and is easy to care about, even when she can’t help but be drawn back into the web of Tony Goldwyn’s Fitz. Their forbidden romance is the steamy center ofScandalthroughout the show. However, as the seasons progress, Olivia finds other ways to prove herself within the world of politics and intrigue in D.C.
Like most shows created by Shonda Rhimes,Scandaldrips with passion, plot twists, and shock factor.
Like most shows created by Shonda Rhimes,Scandaldrips with passion, plot twists, and shock factor, and this is what keeps us coming back to her shows year after year.Scandalis a strong foil to a show likeSuits. The characters often work outside the law to keep their clients away from the legal battlefield, content to be the powerful players working behind the scenes. However, Olivia doesn’t let others dictate who she is and what she does, making a name for herself like the best characters inSuits.
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5The Good Wife (2009–2016)
A Legal Show With Enough Personal Drama To Shock The Audience
Full of vivid characters, shocking plot twists, and legal casesthat make the characters question their own role within the legal system,The Good Wifeis a show fans ofSuitswill have no trouble falling in love with. The lead character, Alicia Florrick, is thrown back into the heat of her own legal career following her husband’s fall from grace, discovering just how much she’s been missing on the sidelines. Working her way back up the legal ladder and proving herself to be a crack attorney, Alicia is an easy character to root for, much like Mike inSuits.
The Good Wifewas popular enough to warrant the creation of several spinoffs,includingThe Good FightandElsbeth, both of which expand upon the original concept of the show while maintaining their unique sense of self. One of the hardest parts of watchingSuitsis knowing it will come to an end after season 9. However, withThe Good Wife, there are plenty of great series within the story’s world that will keep the audience satisfied for a long time.
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4House (2004–2012)
Hugh Laurie’s Curmudgeonly Dr. House Isn’t Dissimilar From Harvey
ThoughHouseis a medical drama,the series frequently blends genres and transcends the typical formula of a serieslike this. Structured more like a mystery than a doctor show,Housesees Laurie’s Dr. House and his revolving team of interns attempt to crack the most confusing medical cases as a team of diagnosticians at a top teaching hospital. House is known for his terrible bedside manner and refusal to deal with the red tape of bureaucracy, but this is part of what makes him a great doctor.
Running for eight seasons,Housechanged a lot over its run.
Themost important episodes ofHouseall focus on House’s ability to crack unbelievable cases and think outside the box, shocking those who doubt him. It’s easy to see the parallels between characters like House and Harvey, as the charming lawyer is just as ready to play by his own rules to get results. Running for eight seasons,Housechanged a lot over its run. It saw House grapple with changes and the loss of many important characters, which we see happen to Harvey inSuits.
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3Psych (2006–2014)
Shawn & Gus Pull Off Their Own Long-Con, Not Unlike Mike & Harvey
Mike and Harvey’s lie about Mike’s background and ability to practice law is a much higher-stakes con than Shawn and Gus' playful bending of the truth inPsych. However,both sets of best friends are bonded by their need to keep everyone around them in the dark,even ifPsychhas a much more overtly comedic tone thanSuits. It’s interesting thatPsychis the lighter series, as the show deals in murder, theft, and serious crimes more often thanSuits. The show sticks to its zany and offbeat tone until the end.
However, through the lens ofPsych, it’s always a treat to watch Shawn and Gus put the pieces of the investigation together. The characters' dynamic is less competitive than Harvey and Mike’s onSuits. Shawn and Gus have been close since childhood and help rein each other in when they get too carried away. The buddy comedy elements ofPsychimmediately connect it toSuits, and the fact thatthere are eight seasons and three spinoff moviesmeans that audiences will never run out of great content to enjoy.
2The Lincoln Lawyer (2022–Present)
This Legal Drama Is A Natural Successor To Suits
Based on the books by Michael Connelly,The Lincoln Lawyerhas proven itself to be the perfect legal drama to fit into the niche left bySuits.Starring Manuel Garcia-Rulfo as Mickey Haller, the titular lawyerworking out of the back of his Lincoln car,The Lincoln Lawyerweaves his cases and his down-to-earth approach to law with his interpersonal dramas. Neve Campbell is also featured, portraying Mickey’s ex-wife, Maggie, and formidable attorney with whom he frequently butts heads.
Ever sinceThe Lincoln Lawyerpremiered on Netflix in 2022, it’s been a strong performer for the streamer.
Ever sinceThe Lincoln Lawyerpremiered on Netflix in 2022, it’s been a strong performer for the streamer, finding fun in mining the genre for its pitfalls and tropes while never taking itself too seriously. It’s obvious that the cast is having as much fun as the ensemble ofSuitsdid as they grapple with cases that push the characters to their limits.The Lincoln Lawyeris more grounded and tackles fewer corporate and high-profile cases thanSuits, but this is what helps audiences connect with its narrative.
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1White Collar (2009–2014)
Neal & Peter Are A Great Mike & Harvey Replacement
Matt Bomer’s turn as Neal Caffrey inWhite Collarcomes close to being one of the most charming performances in TV history. Joined by Tim DeKay as Peter Burke,White Collarmight be the closest we’ve ever come to a true replacement forSuits, though the series premiered two years before the legal drama. WhereSuitsdeals more in corporate law and rarely deals with the types of criminals centered onWhite Collar,both shows set themselves against the backdrop of wealth, power, and corruption.
Hopefully, theWhite Collarreboot TV showwon’t go the same way asSuits L.A., as that was a major disappointment for fans of the franchise. However, there’s reason to hope that the revival will be more effective, as Bomer and DeKay will both be reprising their roles as Neal and Peter. The balance between the cat-and-mouse games between the two leads and their deep, enduring friendship is the heart and soul ofWhite Collar, the same way Mike and Harvey are the driving force behind the ups and downs ofSuits.
