In television, as in fashion, trends come and go, but certain styles stick around.
One of the more enduring modes is the glossy legal drama.
Shows like Ally McBeal, How To Get Away With Murder, and The Good Wife (and its eccentric spin-off The Good Fight) have captivated audiences for years.
These shows range from gritty, like Damages, to funny, like Boston Legal.
Some strike a balance, providing a comforting, well-made, and lightly numbing experience.
Enter Suits, which debuted in 2011 (remember that?
The world was ending the next year), chronicling the lives of New York lawyers and their professional and personal ups and downs.
It is the buzziest show on TV at the moment.
Suits: Breaking Records and Captivating Audiences
The Nielsen Data
Nielsen data reveals that Suits racked up 3.7 billion viewing minutes in the first week of July, breaking the record it set the week before (3.1 billion minutes) following its debut on Netflix and Peacock.
For the third week running, it is at the top of the streaming chart.
This also means it ranks as number 13 on Nielsen’s highest-rated streaming shows of all time.
Perhaps most surprising is that those minutes have been focused on the first season, indicating that the Suits resurgence may have only just begun.
We are moments away from culture sites running recaps and subreddits dedicated to series rewatches.
If there were no strike, a few of its main cast would surely be running a rewatch podcast, similar to those for The Office (Office Ladies), Scrubs (Fake Doctors, Real Friends), and Gossip Girl (XOXO with Jessica Szohr).
If there is one certainty in life, it is that enduring popularity will be tested to its limits.
The Well-Worn Formula of Suits
Characters and Plot
The show relies on a well-worn formula (it is well-worn for a reason!): good-looking lawyers at a high-powered firm doing legal stuff every week.
There is supreme faker Mike Ross (played by Patrick J. Adams) who has never gone to law school but has a photographic memory (handy), and head shark Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht) who reels off lines that can be repackaged as motivational quotations on men’s rights Instagram accounts.
Then, of course, there is Meghan Markle, who plays paralegal Rachel Zane and a love interest for Mike.
Markle left the show in 2018, at the end of the seventh season, the same year she married Prince Harry.
With Suits and her real life, she has starred in two of the most high-profile dramas in recent history.
The Longevity of Suits
A Show with Lots to Offer
Suits is watchable, and there is a lot to watch. The show, which ran from 2011 to 2019 on USA Network (a subsidiary of NBCUniversal), comprises nine seasons and 136 episodes.
In the UK, the first six seasons were broadcast on Dave until Netflix bought the rights. You can watch all nine seasons on the streaming platform, though you likely already knew that.
Writing for Vulture’s streaming newsletter Buffering, Josef Adalian notes the irony of the show’s recent jump to Netflix stateside, calling it “exactly the kind of decade-spanning hit the streaming giant has helped make all but obsolete”.
While streamers have long relied on a steady stream of original content, which burns out faster than you can click “still watching”, they also buy into old catalogues to keep viewers hooked.
If you watch two episodes of Suits a night – I don’t know your viewing habits – it would last you 68 nights.
The Perfect Time for a Resurgence
Cultural and Contextual Relevance
So it speaks to the moment: a lot of show, at a time when there’s not a lot around (and with an ongoing strike, we’re soon going to run out of original content).
It also, uh, suits our time. It is summer: perhaps people would like to switch off in the evening (or during their lunch break) and, in truth, you could do worse than Suits, which will not change your life, but may make it a little easier 40 minutes at a time.
The series is well-crafted, more interested in the inner workings of the firm than it is with the weekly cases, and has some fine acting performances.
Surely some of the resurgence lies in a curiosity with the Duchess of Sussex, who gives a playful, lived-in performance as Zane and touches on some subtler details like her character’s biracial heritage.
A lot must be said for availability: there is nothing easier than switching on Netflix and reclining.
The Rewatch Factor
Legal Dramas and Nostalgia
And while no data is available on who is rewatching Suits, as opposed to watching it for the first time, I’d wager it’s a sizeable proportion: legal dramas, with their episodic reveals that are just clever enough to keep you guessing even on a second watch, are perfectly poised for a second viewing.
And, besides, isn’t it all just so cozy? It is impossible to scroll through Instagram or TikTok without seeing evidence of rewatches of Gossip Girl, The Sopranos, and Sex and the City.
The one thing humans fall for more than new stuff? Nostalgia.
The Impact of Suits on Streaming Trends
Changing Viewer Habits
The resurgence of Suits has had a notable impact on streaming trends. It highlights the increasing viewer preference for established, long-running shows with a substantial number of episodes.
This trend contrasts sharply with the earlier streaming strategy focused on producing a high volume of original content.
The sustained popularity of Suits suggests that viewers are seeking more comforting and familiar content, especially in times of uncertainty.
The Meghan Markle Effect
A Royal Boost
Meghan Markle’s involvement in Suits has undoubtedly contributed to its renewed popularity.
Her transition from actress to Duchess of Sussex has kept her in the public eye, drawing new viewers curious about her acting career.
Markle’s performance as Rachel Zane is compelling and has added an extra layer of intrigue to the series.
Her presence in the show serves as a reminder of her pre-royal life, adding to the overall allure of Suits.
The Future of Suits and Similar Shows
Prospects for Revival and Spin-offs
Given the current surge in popularity, there is speculation about potential revivals or spin-offs of Suits.
While no official announcements have been made, the ongoing interest in the show indicates a strong fan base that would welcome new content.
Additionally, the success of similar legal dramas suggests that there is a continuing market for well-crafted, character-driven shows in this genre.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the enduring popularity of Suits highlights the timeless appeal of glossy legal dramas.
The show’s well-worn formula, engaging characters, and high-quality production have ensured its lasting success.
The recent resurgence of Suits on streaming platforms is a testament to the series’ ability to captivate new audiences and retain its loyal fan base.
As viewers continue to seek comfort in familiar shows, Suits stands out as a prime example of a series that can weather the changing tides of television trends.
FAQs
Why has Suits become popular again?
Suits has become popular again due to its recent availability on streaming platforms like Netflix and Peacock, allowing new viewers to discover the show and long-time fans to rewatch it. The ongoing curiosity about Meghan Markle also contributes to its renewed interest.
How many seasons and episodes does Suits have?
Suits ran for nine seasons with a total of 136 episodes. The series originally aired from 2011 to 2019 on USA Network.
What is the main premise of Suits?
Suits follows the lives of New York lawyers, particularly focusing on Mike Ross, who has a photographic memory but never attended law school, and Harvey Specter, a top attorney at a high-powered firm. The series blends legal drama with personal relationships and office politics.
Who are the main characters in Suits?
The main characters in Suits include Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams), Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht), Rachel Zane (Meghan Markle), Jessica Pearson (Gina Torres), and Louis Litt (Rick Hoffman). These characters drive the show’s primary storylines and dynamics.
Where can I watch Suits?
You can watch all nine seasons of Suits on Netflix and Peacock. The series is available for streaming, making it accessible to a wide audience.