Many TV shows take place in specific cities, but they are not always filmed there. Some shows, like Gossip Girl and Sex and the City, had the chance to film in New York City.
However, other shows set in the same city were not as lucky. One well-known example is Suits, a legal drama that gained huge popularity after being added to Netflix. Although the story takes place in New York, the show was mostly filmed somewhere else.
Even though Suits ran for nine seasons and had great success, only the first episode was actually filmed in New York. After that, production moved to another location.
This fact surprised many fans, especially after the announcement of Suits LA, a spin-off series that recently premiered on NBC. Many viewers wondered if the new series was really filmed in Los Angeles or if it was shot somewhere else, just like the original show.
What Suits LA Is About?
Suits LA follows the story of Ted Black, played by Stephen Amell. Ted was once a federal prosecutor in New York, but he decided to start fresh on the West Coast. He now leads a criminal and entertainment law firm called Black Lane Law. His firm represents Hollywood stars, top movie producers, and big names in the entertainment business.
However, Ted is facing some serious challenges. A risky career move has put his law firm in a tough position. He now has to work harder than ever to prove that he is the right person to handle his clients’ legal matters.
Since Hollywood’s celebrity culture plays a big role in the story, many fans believe that filming in Los Angeles is important to make the show feel real. But was the show actually filmed there? Let’s look at where Suits LA was filmed and whether it shares any filming locations with the original Suits series.
Where Was Suits LA Filmed?
Although most of Suits LA was filmed in Los Angeles, the pilot episode was actually filmed in Canada. The first episode was shot in Vancouver. After NBC approved the series, production moved to Los Angeles.
The exterior shots of Black Lane Law, the law firm in Suits LA, were filmed in Century City. The building seen in the show is located in Century Park, a well-known business district. According to the property’s official website, 2000 Avenue of the Stars features modern indoor and outdoor workspaces designed to inspire creativity.
The building’s sleek and polished look is perfect for a law firm that represents Hollywood celebrities. However, just because the outside of the building appears in the show, that does not mean the indoor office scenes were filmed there.
The actual office interior was likely built on a soundstage. Stephen Amell shared in an interview with Variety that Suits LA was filmed at the northeast corner of Universal Studios.
Showrunner Aaron Korsh also spoke with Variety about his approach to choosing filming locations.
“I always think about what place would work best for each scene,” he explained. “When you think that way, you naturally get iconic locations. At the same time, you also get places that uniquely show Los Angeles.”
Where Is Suits LA Set?
As the title suggests, Suits LA takes place in Los Angeles. Ted and his legal team work with clients from the entertainment industry. The show also features flashbacks to Ted’s past life as a prosecutor in New York.
In these scenes, the show explores an old case that went wrong. However, most of the story is set in the present, focusing on Ted’s career in Los Angeles.
Did Suits LA and Suits Share Filming Locations?
Suits LA and the original Suits series were not filmed in the same places. Suits was mostly filmed in Toronto, Canada. Some exterior shots of New York were used to make the setting feel more real, but most of the show was filmed in Canada.
Unlike Suits LA, the first episode of Suits was filmed in New York. The pilot episode was shot at Kirkland & Ellis, a real law firm in Manhattan. However, once the show was picked up by USA Network, production moved to Toronto.
In the original series, Pearson Hardman, the fictional law firm, was filmed at the Bay and Adelaide Centre in downtown Toronto. This location is known for housing some of the city’s top legal and financial firms. The building’s stylish and modern look helped create the show’s sophisticated atmosphere.
Scenes featuring Harvey Specter, Louis Litt, and other characters arriving at the office were filmed in the building’s lobby. Similar to Century Park in Suits LA, the Bay and Adelaide Centre provided the perfect setting for a high-profile law firm.
Other locations used in Suits included:
- St. Paul’s Basilica – Used for some key dramatic scenes.
- Knox College at the University of Toronto – Used for scenes set at Harvard.
- Downsview Park Studios – Where many interior shots were filmed.
- TIFF Bell Lightbox and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel – Featured in multiple episodes.
The decision to film Suits in Toronto was mainly due to budget reasons. The Canadian government provided tax breaks for film and TV productions.
Since filming in New York can be very expensive, Toronto became a practical choice. The city’s modern buildings and urban design allowed it to serve as a convincing stand-in for Manhattan. Over nine seasons, Toronto became an important part of Suits, helping bring its world to life.
Where Was Suits Set?
The story of Suits was set in New York, even though it was mostly filmed in Canada. In 2011, Gabriel Macht, who played Harvey Specter, shared his thoughts about this with The Hollywood Reporter.
He admitted that he would have preferred to film in New York to make the series feel more authentic. However, he understood that filming in Canada was more cost-effective. At the same time, he felt that filming outside New York made it harder to capture the city’s unique energy.
“There are only so many streets and buildings that can replace New York’s real atmosphere,” Macht said. Despite not filming in New York, he believed the show’s writing played a key role in its success.
“The writing is smart, and the characters feel real,” he explained. “The story between Harvey and Mike evolves in a way that keeps audiences engaged.”
Why Suits LA Has an Advantage Over Suits
Unlike Suits, the spin-off has the chance to embrace its setting in a meaningful way. At first, NBC planned to shoot Suits LA in Canada, just like the original show. That is why the pilot was filmed in Vancouver. However, the network later decided to move production to Los Angeles. This change allows the show to capture its Hollywood theme.
Suits LA also benefits from being filmed near famous landmarks. The show features celebrity cameos, including Victoria Justice and Patton Oswalt, which adds to its Hollywood atmosphere. Filming near places like the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Universal Studios makes the setting feel more authentic.
The original Suits cast always wanted to film on location but never got the chance. Now, Suits LA is getting to do what the original series could not.
Also Read: Suits LA Season 1 Episode 1 Recap: Suits: LA Brings Back the Legal Drama with Twists and New Faces
