WARNING: Spoilers ahead for Suits LA season 1, episode 1.
Suits LAfeatures a star-studded cast, including some actors playing themselves in a show based on Los Angeles entertainment law. The show’s pilot set the stage for theSuits LAcharactersand featured several betrayals in a surprisingly dramatic premiere. Among the cast is Victoria Justice, and while she is a major player in theSuitsspinoff, she is playing a brand-new character and not a fictionalized version of herself.
As a legal drama that mixes entertainment and criminal law,Suits LAis expected to have a lot of cameos from actors playing themselves. The spinoff also includes a promising mix of morally gray protagonists in the cut-throat world of Ted Black’s career path. WhileSuits LAepisode 1left some questions, one of the more interesting decisions in the pilot is whyJustice plays a character rather than herself.
Victoria Justice Plays Dylan Pryor In Suits LA
Pryor Is A Popular Actor In Suits LA
Victoria Justice plays Dylan Pryor inSuits LA. Dylan is a substantial character in the premiere as the first major client we see Ted interacting with, andher introduction seems to set up a major plot forSuits LAseason 1. Dylan is a popular actor casually looking for legal representation. At first, theSuits LApremiereseems to imply Ted Black’s indifference to whether or not his firm is hired by Dylan. His meeting with her is casual and informal. However, later on, Ted’s interest in being selected by Dylan grows more clear.
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Justice’s portrayal of Dylan is surprising because her character seems similar to Justice’s own life. They are both popular, in-demand actors that carry a large fanbase behind them. Justice’s portrayal was also unexpected becauseSuits LAalready features several actors playing themselves, namely the late John Amos in his final role. Victoria Justice appearing inSuits LAas a fictionalized version of Victoria Justice would’ve worked since it would not have been out of the ordinary for a Los Angeles-based actor to be a client of Ted Black.
Justice’s Dylan Pryor Makes It Easy To Utilize Her As A Character
Dylan’s Character Separates Her From A Justice Cameo
Creating a new character means that the show is not tethered to Justice’s career when crafting stories about her.Suits LAcan change the character’s past and add intricate details that have nothing to do with Justice’s real life and career. Focusing on Justice’s personal history might have also caused story issues and made it difficult to separate fact from fiction. As a result,creating Dylan for Justice means that she is free to portray her character separately from her own life. Despite both Dylan and Justice being successful actors, the overlap stops there.
Creating a new character means that the show is not tethered to Justice’s career when crafting stories about her.
Since Justice is a reoccurring cast member ofSuits LA, it also makes more sense narratively to have her play a character than herself. If she were to play herself, her role would likely be reduced to a cameo. As such, it would be harder to create a genuine character arc surrounding her story inSuits LA. In other words,the creation of Dylan givesSuits LAand Justice more stylistic freedom.
Suits LA Will Feature More Actors Playing Themselves
Suits LA Will Utilize Its Proximity To Hollywood
Suits LAis separating itself fromSuitsin more ways than one, with one of the main aspects being thatSuits LAwill feature several actors playing themselves. It will utilize its proximity to Hollywood and its expertise in entertainment and criminal law by featuring well-known actors looking for legal representation. This is not only a great way forSuits LAto stand out, but it also adds an interesting touch of realism to the legal drama.
TheSuits LApremiere has already featured the late John Amos playing himself in a touching role centered on forgiveness, a skill that no doubt comes with life experience. Besides Amos' heartwarming role,Suits LAis also set to feature Patton Oswalt, Brian Baumgartner, and Enrico Colantoni. Oswalt and Baumgartner are known for their roles in comedies such asKing of QueensandThe Office, respectively. Colantoni is best known for his role as Keith Mars inVeronica Mars.
Suits LAairs on NBC on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET.
As each actor will be playing himself, they will likely appear as clients of Black’s firm, either seeking counsel or advice. Given their prolific expertise in comedies, these three actors may appear in comedic roles. Whatever way they present themselves inSuits LA, their cameos are not ones to miss, especially after how good Amos' role in the pilot was.
