The 9-season legal drama Suits found a second life on streaming, propelling its popularity to new heights. As a result, the beloved series is getting a spin-off. The aptly-titled Suits: L.A. moves the action from New York to the City of Angels. Although the spin-off boasts a brand-new cast of characters, it will still be set in the established Suits universe. The initial premise of Suits was incredibly inventive: Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams), a college dropout with a photographic memory, talks his way into working for successful “closer” attorney Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht).

The record-setting Suits became Netflix’s most-viewed acquired streaming title a whopping four years after the series aired its finale on the USA Network. Now, NBCUniversal’s newly ordered spin-off, Suits: LA, is set to follow former federal prosecutor Ted Black (Stephen Amell), a New York transplant who has reinvented himself by acquiring some of Los Angeles’ most powerful clients. Surrounded by an exciting ensemble, Ted and his firm are in decidedly hot water, which only adds to the drama. Based on first reactions to Suits: LA, the show’s breakout star will be actor Josh McDermitt.

Josh McDermitt Being Suits LA’s Breakout Star Isn’t Surprising If You Watched Him In The Walking Dead

McDermitt Played Eugene In The Walking Dead

Touted as the breakout star of Suits: LA for his humor, Josh McDermitt plays Stuart Lane, the co-founder of Black Lane Law and Ted’s partner. Although early reviews center on just the pilot episode, it’s clear that McDermitt will infuse the spin-off with his trademark wit. Prior to landing the gig on Suits: LA, McDermitt got his big break as a semi-finalist comedian competing on the TV show Last Comic Standing. Following that high point, he appeared on the sitcom Retired at 35 for a time. However, it wasn’t until 2013 that McDermitt nabbed the role most viewers know him for: The Walking Dead‘s Eugene Porter.

At first, Eugene started out as a recurring character — an intelligent survivor who claimed to be a scientist. Headed for Washington, D.C. with tough-as-nails traveling companions Abraham Ford and Rosita Espinosa, Eugene eventually revealed that he had lied about being a scientist in order to appear more useful and valuable to other survivors in the Walking Dead universe. Ultimately, Eugene’s arc was one of The Walking Dead‘s best, with the character appearing in 85 episodes of hit series. A bit clumsy and cowardly, McDermitt’s Eugene is neither “combat ready or, for that matter, combat inclined.“

The Walking Dead

Based on one of the most successful and popular comic books of all time, AMC’s The Walking Dead captures the ongoing human drama following a zombie apocalypse. The series, developed for television by Frank Darabont, follows a group of survivors, led by police officer Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln), who are traveling in search of a safe and secure home. However, instead of the zombies, it is the living who remain that truly become the walking dead. The Walking Dead lasted for eleven seasons and spawned several spinoff shows, such as Fear the Walking Dead and The Walking Dead: World Beyond.

Suits LA Is A Perfect TV Franchise Replacement For Josh McDermitt

The Suits Spinoff Is Already Getting Rave Reviews

After a whopping 11 seasons, The Walking Dead series finale aired in 2022. While Josh McDermitt has appeared in other notable roles — both during and after his time on The Walking Dead — he hasn’t been given a leading role opportunity, making minor appearances in Twin Peaks: The Return and Creepshow. Now, the Suits: LA spin-off is changing that. Not only is Suits: LA giving McDermitt the spotlight he and his comedy chops deserve, but it’s allowing him to play a completely different character. Stuart Lane may possess a wit similar to Eugene’s, but the legal-drama backdrop adds something fresh.

With the pilot of Suits: LA already getting rave reviews from early viewers, it’s clear that the upcoming legal drama is more than a cash grab. While it’s no doubt capitalizing on the sudden resurgence in popularity that the original show experienced thanks to Netflix, NBCUniversal is pouring talent and resources into its latest Suits entry. For Josh McDermitt, the blend of drama and comedy makes Suits: LA the perfect Walking Dead replacement, allowing him to play to his strengths while not being pigeonholed into a particular genre or type of show.

Suits L.A.

Suits L.A. is a legal drama series spun off from the original franchise and will see Aaron Korsh return as the creator. Stephen Amell will take the role of Ted Black, a lawyer who must guide his legal firm out of a period of impending collapse.

Could Josh McDermitt Ever Return To The Walking Dead?

Eugene Is Still Alive In The Walking Dead Series Finale

So long as Suits: LA doesn’t go the way of the previous (and short-lived) Suits spin-off, Pearson, McDermitt will have a pretty full schedule on his plate. As Ted Black’s partner at the Los Angeles-based law firm, Stuart Lane is a central character. However, that doesn’t mean McDermitt won’t ever appear in The Walking Dead universe again. At the end of the parent series, Eugene is very much still alive. As seen in recent Walking Dead spin-offs, like The Ones Who Live, Eugene could easily crop up again, allowing McDermitt to make a cameo as his beloved character while starring in Suits: LA.