Gabriel Macht’s return as Harvey Specter was one ofSuits LA’s biggest triumphs, but the actor’s other project is a better comeback for the character than the spinoff. Despite the West-Coast spinoff being one of the most highly-anticipated new releases of 2025,Suits LA was ultimately canceled,whichwas announced ahead of its first season finale.
WhatSuits LAdid succeed in was bringing back three iconic characters from the original series— Harvey Specter, Louis Litt (Rick Hoffman), and, briefly, Daniel Hardman (David Costabile). Given that Harvey is still remembered as arguably thebest character inSuits, he was awarded a three-episode arc. Despite the bigger role, however, Harvey Specter felt borderline unrecognizable inSuits LA.
Gabriel Macht’s Return As Harvey Specter In Suits LA Was Lackluster
The Most Iconic Original Series Character Felt Diluted
Macht announced his iconic character’s return in November 2024, butHarvey’s appearance inSuits LAepisode 4was an underwhelming start. After a few episodes of Ted staring longingly at a picture of him and Harvey’s baseball team,Suits LAshows a glimpse of their alleged friendship in a flashback from 2010 New York. Unfortunately, the chemistry was sorely lacking.
Aside from theawkward interactions between Ted and Harvey, it was a shame to waste one of Macht’s three episodes telling a story that was set solely in the past. Nevertheless,Suits LA’s Harvey flashbacksonly became more prevalent and less believable, failing to lay a foundation for his and Ted’s acquaintanceship and lacking all the signature Harvey Specter swagger.
Harvey’s role inSuits LAtook a turn in episode 8, with Macht making his first appearance in the present timeline. Conveniently, Ted’s nemesis John Pellegrini (Anthony Azizi) was released from prison, prompting Harvey to bring Ted back to New York. With Kevin (Troy Winbush), they take down Pellegrini to avenge the death of Ted’s brother, Eddie (Carson A. Egan).
Macht’sSuits LAcharacter was Harvey Specter in name only.
Their climactic battle is resolved quickly, sending Harvey Specter home, never to return. WhileSuits LApeppered in details about the character’s epilogue after Suits— including solidifying his marriage to Donna (Sarah Rafferty) and revealing their unnamed son— the overall impression ofHarvey’s return was disenchanting to say the least. Macht’sSuits LAcharacter was Harvey Specter in name only.
Granted,Suits LAlacked most of the original’s charm, but it became increasingly apparent with Harvey. It felt uncanny, to see Gabriel Macht but not see the best closer in New York. Even in the flashbacks, Harvey’s quips felt pedestrian, his style boring and personality unremarkable. If it weren’t for his legacy,Suits LA’s Harvey would have faded into obscurity.
Macht’s Questrade Commercial Brings Back Harvey Specter In A Much More Effective Way
Despite leading one of thebest legal dramas of all time,Suits LAfrom Questrade, a Canadian brokerage firm. The commercial, posted to Questrade’sYouTubeChannel on June 08, 2025, featured Gabriel Macht as himself in a contemporary home office, wearing a tailored suit and exuding charisma.
Macht isn’t playing Harvey Specter in the commercial, yet it somehow feels closer to his iconic role than an entire three-episode run onSuits LA. At the most basic level,Macht’s appearance is more Harvey-like in the commercial, from the well-fitting suit to the confident posture. InSuits LA, Harvey’s indomitable presence was snuffed out to make room for Ted.
Even the way Macht reads his lines in the commercial is more self-assured, erring just on the edge of endearingly cocky— quintessential Harvey Specter. InSuits LA, the line delivery was hindered by pacing issues, confusing dialogue choices, and a disregard for natural charm. At times,Harvey Specter fit intoSuits LAlike a square peg in a round hole.
Suits LAhad to jump through hoops to make Harvey fit into the plot, suddenly forcing him into Ted’s life without any real explanation of their history.
Beyond that, it comes down to Questrade’s ad simply allowing Macht— and, by extension, his Harvey persona— room to breathe.Suits LAhad to jump through hoops to make Harvey fit into the plot, suddenly forcing him into Ted’s life without any real explanation of their history. Consequently, their friendship doesn’t align with the backstory set up bySuits.
Bringing in Gabriel Macht was necessary to draw in original viewers, but superimposing Harvey into one ofSuits LA’s contrived conflictsonly resulted in more animosity for the poorly-received spinoff. Technically,Suits LAbrought back Harvey, but it wasn’t a Harvey that anyone recognized— a slight that feels almost intentional, given how easilyQuestrade was able to capture Harvey Specter’s spirit.
Macht’s Suits LA Return May Have Done More Harm Than Good
The Anticlimactic Return Of Harvey Specter Doomed The Spinoff
Harvey’s storyline in the West-Coast spinoff may have disappointed fans, but it also undeniably contributed toSuits LA’s failure. Even at his worst, most poorly-defined self,Suits LA’s pallid version of Harvey Specter still outshines Ted Black. Harvey would have always stolen the spotlight from Ted, but the under-developed protagonist was doomed to fail bySuits LA’s lackluster personality.
Two truths can coexist:Harvey’s appearance inSuits LAwas a poor imitation of his character, but simply seeing Macht as Specter was a reminder of everything that madeSuitsa household name. Unfortunately forSuits LA, what madeSuitspopular were the features that the spinoff couldn’t replicate, despite their best and obvious efforts.
All episodes ofSuitsandSuits LAare streaming on Peacock.
Admittedly,Suits LA’s poor ratingswere dismal before Harvey’s storyline— and there’s no guarantee that the spinoff would have earned a second season had Macht not appeared— but the beloved character’s return became a Catch-22.Suits LApaled in comparison to the original, but it couldn’t sustainably bring back familiar faces (especially if, like Harvey, they felt like flimsy imitations).
The problem only spiraled after Hoffman reprised Louis Litt inSuits LAepisode 12. Although his scenes with Josh McDermitt’s Stuart Lane were entertaining, they made Stuart seem like a lesser version of Louis. Truthfully,Ted and Stuart’s dynamic inSuits LAalways felt like a knockoff of Harvey and Louis, but the original duo’s friendship was much more captivating.
Therein lies the real issue:Suits LAtried to capitalize on the original series to sell itself, but there was nothing of substance to draw new viewers in. The betrayals were predictable, the characters were shallow, and even the highest points were mediocre when compared to the pilot season of Suits. Astonishingly,Suits LAcouldn’t even make Harvey Specter charming.
