The biggest difference betweenWhite CollarandSuitsis why, despite their equal levels of popularity, one is getting a revival while the other is getting a spinoff series.White CollarandSuitsshare many similarities, including their recent rise in popularity on Netflix, which is now resulting in their return to the network television sphere. However, each of their returns will be in a different form asWhite Collaris getting a full revival whileSuits: LAis confirmed to be a spinoff.
Whileupdates on theWhite Collarrevivalhave been scarce, it is very clear that the storyline will follow the characters from the original show. Meanwhile, theSuitsspinoff will follow a new set of characters with only the possibility of cameos from the original cast. This distinction may seem confusing, as both shows had similar procedural structures and dynamics between the characters. That being said, one key difference between the base shows easily explains this decision:White Collarwas about Neal Caffrey (Matt Bomer) and his journey, whileSuitsfocused on the stories of the staff of Pearson Hardman.
White Collar Was About Neal, Suits Was About An Ensemble Cast
Neal Was The Center Point Of The Narrative, Harvey & Mike Were Not
Neal’s growth and character arc was the main story ofWhite Collar,which contrasted withSuits’ensemble focus. ThroughoutWhite Collar’s original run, the story was driven largely by Neal’s development as aspects of his past and present choices played out.Many ofWhite Collar’s cases reflected his own inner turmoil or shifting viewpoints, such as season 2’s “Countermeasures”, and used those beats to highlight the show’s main themesof change and redemption.Neal’s relationship with Peter Burke (Tim DeKay)was even tailored to his arc, as their growing friendship inspired him to reflect and triggered parts of his metamorphosis.
Suits: L.A. Will Finally Give Us The Harvey Specter Story That Suits Couldn’t If Gabriel Macht Returns For The Spinoff
If Harvey Specter appears in Suits: L.A. even if for a cameo only, the spinoff show will get to do something that the original Suits never did.
Suits,on the other hand, had a wide ensemble focus, giving each of the characters' arcs moments to shine and drive the plot forward. Harvey Specter (Gabriel Machet) and Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adas) may have been the primary anchor points and the arcs that got the most attention, butcharacters such as Jessica Pearson (Gina Torres) and Rachel Zane (Megan Markle) drove episodes on their own through their actions.As a result, a revival forWhite Collarworks as it cannot go on without Neal whileSuitscan tell a story without Harvey and Mike.
White Collar Without Neal Wouldn’t Work, But Suits Was More Than Mike & Harvey
Suits' Later Seasons Proved Its Status As An Ensemble Show
Mike’s departure fromSuitsin season 7 showcased that the series was more than his story and dynamic with Harvey, a strategy thatWhite Collarcould not use as the series could not exist without Neal.Mike’s story had naturally concluded after season 7, butSuitscontinued on without him.Suitsseasons 8 and 9 were able to give other characters even more screen time and allow newcharacters to arrive inSuitswithout breaking the story. That would not be an option forWhite Collaras its focus was solely on Neal’s character development.
White Collar, by contrast, would feel empty without Neal as so much of the story is built around him, makingSuitsthe better option for a spinoff that explores the world outside the original characters.
ASuitsspinoff is better than a revival, then, because it can continue to explore that ensemble dynamic from those later seasons as it follows other lawyers from a different firm.Even with new characters,Suitswould still retain its heart as long as the same sharp dialogue and story writing are applied, and the focus is on the whole cast over one character.White Collar,by contrast, would feel empty without Neal as so much of the story is built around him, makingSuitsthe better option for a spinoff that explores the world outside the original characters.
White Collar
Cast
White Collar is a crime drama television series featuring Neal Caffrey, a skilled con artist and art thief, portrayed by Matt Bomer. After being captured by FBI agent Peter Burke, Neal agrees to help the FBI catch elusive white-collar criminals as a consultant, leveraging his unique skills. The series explores the evolving partnership and mutual trust between Neal and Peter, blending elements of crime-solving and personal redemption.
