The biggest difference between White Collar and Suits is why, despite their equal levels of popularity, one is getting a revival while the other is getting a spinoff series. White Collar and Suits share 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 as White Collar is getting a full revival while Suits: LA is confirmed to be a spinoff.
While updates on the White Collar revival have been scarce, it is very clear that the storyline will follow the characters from the original show. Meanwhile, the Suits spinoff 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 Collar was about Neal Caffrey (Matt Bomer) and his journey, while Suits focused 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 of White Collar, which contrasted with Suits’ ensemble focus. Throughout White Collar‘s original run, the story was driven largely by Neal’s development as aspects of his past and present choices played out. Many of White 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 themes of 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.
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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, but characters such as Jessica Pearson (Gina Torres) and Rachel Zane (Megan Markle) drove episodes on their own through their actions. As a result, a revival for White Collar works as it cannot go on without Neal while Suits can 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 from Suits in season 7 showcased that the series was more than his story and dynamic with Harvey, a strategy that White Collar could not use as the series could not exist without Neal. Mike’s story had naturally concluded after season 7, but Suits continued on without him. Suits seasons 8 and 9 were able to give other characters even more screen time and allow new characters to arrive in Suits without breaking the story. That would not be an option for White Collar as 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, making
Suits
the better option for a spinoff that explores the world outside the original characters.
A Suits spinoff 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, Suits would 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, making Suits the better option for a spinoff that explores the world outside the original characters.
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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.
- Cast
- Matt Bomer , Tim Dekay , Willie Garson , Tiffani Thiessen , Sharif Atkins , Marsha Thomason , Hilarie Burton , Diahann Carroll , Natalie Morales , Bridget Regan , Ross McCall , Gloria Votsis , Sheena Colette , Alexandra Daddario , Alex Kruz , Christopher Stadulis , Treat Williams , Mark Sheppard , Brian James Pepe , Judith Ivey , Gavin Lee , Noah Emmerich , Kelly McCreary , Piper Kenny , Steven Weisz , James Schram , Jayce Bartok , Charlie Hewson , Daralina Komar , Ryan James Nolan , Beau Bridges , Michael Crowe , Sprague Grayden , Eyas Younis , Isaach De Bankole
- Release Date
- October 23, 2009
- Seasons
- 6
- Network
- USA
- Creator(s)
- Jeff Eastin
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- Cast
- Patrick J. Adams , Sarah Rafferty , Gabriel Macht , Meghan Markle , Rick Hoffman , Gina Torres , Amanda Schull , Dulé Hill , Katherine Heigl
- Release Date
- June 23, 2011
- Seasons
- 9
- Network
- USA
- Creator(s)
- Aaron Korsh
