How Suits Helped Succession Find Success

Patrick J. Adams believes that the triumph of Succession is built upon the groundwork laid by Suits. During the podcast Sidebar: A Suits Watch, which he co-hosts with Sarah Rafferty, Adams shared his perspective that "Suits prepared the way for another major hit."

He elaborated by stating, "I think that Suits walked so that Succession could run," and drew attention to various links between the two series. He highlighted actors who have appeared in both, such as Dagmara Domińczyk and Rob Yang. Adams pointed out that Yang played a doctor in the pilot of Suits and also appeared in the pilot of Succession.

Adams also mentioned Kevin Bray, who directed multiple early episodes of Suits and helped shape its distinctive style. Bray went on to direct episodes of Succession as well. He made a thematic comparison, noting that both shows are set in New York and involve influential figures maneuvering through high-stakes environments.

Rafferty, who portrayed Donna Paulsen in Suits, concurred with Adams but was quick to highlight the significant differences in how each show was received, particularly in terms of awards recognition. She observed that while Succession garnered accolades at the Golden Globes, Suits did not achieve the same level of recognition.

Adams explained that the differences in tone between the two series largely stem from their respective networks. Suits aired on USA, which imposed stricter content restrictions, whereas Succession was on HBO, a premium network that allowed for more creative freedom, resulting in striking moments that resonated deeply with fans.

Despite these contrasts, Suits has experienced a resurgence in popularity, especially during the pandemic, propelling it to the top of streaming charts. A reboot titled Suits L.A. is currently in development, featuring Stephen Amell from Arrow, with plans for it to air on NBC at a yet-to-be-announced date.