Gabriel Macht Discusses Harvey Specter’s Cameo in ‘Suits LA’

Fans of “Suits” will recall that Harvey Specter is a character with a larger-than-life persona—one that won over audiences when the legal drama aired from 2011 to 2019, and saw a resurgence in popularity on Netflix after the pandemic. Harvey, a shrewd and charismatic attorney from New York City, became an iconic role largely due to Gabriel Macht’s unforgettable performance.

With the 2023 revival of “Suits” generating enough excitement to spark a spinoff titled “Suits LA,” created by Aaron Korsh, fans were left wondering: could Harvey Specter make a comeback?

The answer turned out to be positive, with Macht making a brief appearance in a cameo during the fourth episode. He expresses that he never sought a significant role in the new series.

“I believe we wrapped things up nicely, providing the fans with what they desired and concluding various story arcs. After portraying a character for such an extended period, it’s time for a farewell,” Macht shared with TODAY.com in a recent interview.

Though Macht isn’t looking for a long-lasting role in “Suits LA”—he was initially hesitant to return to the character until the show’s revival, which he discussed in a March 24 interview on the 3rd hour of TODAY—his cameo in a flashback montage alongside lead actor Stephen Amell, who plays Ted Black, certainly made waves.

Amell stars in “Suits LA,” which follows entertainment lawyer Ted in Los Angeles, shifting away from the corporate law backdrop of the original series where Harvey was the lead.

The episode with Harvey presents a flashback of Ted, who is grappling with a personal dilemma that distracts him from his current case. While it’s not specified where this scene fits into Harvey’s career timeline, we know both Harvey and Ted had previously worked together at a district attorney’s office. In this scene, Harvey buys Ted a drink to help him unwind after a baseball game.

“I think both characters relied on one another for their intellectual strategies to navigate through their cases,” Macht explained to TODAY.com. “Harvey was there to remind him, ‘Now is the moment to get it done.’”

Macht also expressed admiration for Korsh’s vision in this latest chapter of the “Suits” franchise, urging fans to tune in as well.

“It takes time to find its footing. People need to adjust to the fact that this is not the original show; it offers something different,” he clarifies.

Macht points to his own 134-episode journey with “Suits” as evidence of the time needed to develop a loyal audience and captivating story arcs.

“When I first joined the show, my cousin remarked, ‘So the premise revolves around a fake lawyer and a real one. How can that sustain for more than a few episodes?’ I replied, ‘You never know.’ And it turned into 134 episodes,” Macht remembers.

Previously, Macht shared on Instagram that the friendship between Harvey and Ted will be explored over three episodes of “Suits LA.” Rick Hoffman also confirmed his return as Harvey’s infamous rival, Louis Litt, in an upcoming episode.

“It takes time for an audience to feel comfortable inviting someone new into their home,” Macht explains. “Including a hint of the original while adding some fresh elements can be invigorating. But honestly, these new characters are strong enough on their own.”

Meanwhile, Macht is relishing his time away from significant acting commitments, primarily enjoying his personal life. He particularly appreciates not having to memorize lengthy scripts daily— and embracing the role of a soccer dad. (He has two teenage children with his wife, Jacinda Barrett.)

“I may not have a minivan, but I’m handling school runs, waking the kids up, watching them grow, and navigating the challenges of adolescence,” Macht shares. “I truly enjoy just being there.”