NBC’s Suits LA is dialing up the drama — and the nostalgia — with the return of a major player from the original series. David Costabile is officially reprising his role as Daniel Hardman, one of Suits‘ most notorious antagonists, in a strategic bid to inject intensity and familiarity into the struggling spinoff.
As Suits LA fights to gain traction among critics and viewers, Costabile’s return comes at a pivotal moment. The spinoff, which stars Arrow alum Stephen Amell as Ted Black, a former New York prosecutor turned entertainment lawyer in Los Angeles, has struggled to capture the same wit, edge, and office politics that defined the original Suits for nine seasons.
Hardman’s Comeback: A Power Play
Daniel Hardman, remembered by fans as the cunning and corrupt co-founder of Pearson Hardman, was ousted in the original show after multiple attempts to seize control through manipulation and embezzlement. His reentry into the Suits universe in Suits LA is more than a cameo — it’s a narrative shift.
Sources confirm that Hardman’s character will play a recurring role as a legal puppet master working behind the scenes in LA’s high-stakes entertainment industry. His storyline is set to collide with Ted Black’s burgeoning firm, introducing a direct challenge to the protagonist’s ethics and ambition.
Costabile, a veteran of prestige dramas like Breaking Bad and Billions, brings an intensity that fans of Suits remember well. His calculated presence is expected to stir internal conflicts and disrupt alliances within Ted’s firm — and possibly trigger a few betrayals along the way.
A Franchise Leaning on Its Past
The return of Hardman highlights NBC’s strategy of leaning on legacy characters to revive interest in Suits LA, which has so far received lukewarm reception. Despite a high-profile lead in Amell and creator Aaron Korsh returning to shepherd the project, early episodes have been critiqued as lacking the chemistry and sharp dialogue that made Suits a streaming juggernaut.
“Hardman is the kind of villain you love to hate — bringing him back is smart,” one studio insider said. “He raises the stakes in ways a brand-new character just can’t.”
Whether this nostalgic injection is enough to stabilize viewership is another question. NBC has not released official ratings, but industry analysts report that engagement has dropped steadily after the pilot episode, with fans on social media expressing disappointment over the show’s tone and pacing.
Amell vs. Costabile: Legal Titans in Conflict
Ted Black’s clash with Daniel Hardman is expected to form the dramatic backbone of the midseason arc. Unlike Harvey Specter, who operated with swagger and charm, Amell’s Ted is more stoic and morally rigid — a contrast that sets the stage for philosophical and strategic showdowns between the two men.
Scripts reportedly include courtroom battles, boardroom subterfuge, and direct confrontations that call back to Suits’ most iconic scenes. The writing team is also said to be expanding Hardman’s character depth, hinting at motivations rooted in betrayal from the original firm and a vendetta that spans both coasts.
Can Suits LA Survive?
The addition of David Costabile may provide a short-term boost, but long-term survival will depend on whether Suits LA can carve its own identity. Fans are calling for richer character development, smarter writing, and stakes that feel earned — rather than relying solely on callbacks.
Still, the return of a seasoned villain like Hardman suggests the show is willing to course-correct. Whether it’s enough to win over the court of public opinion remains to be seen.
With more legacy cameos rumored and a possible crossover still on the table, NBC is clearly betting that old faces can help build new success. For now, one thing is certain: Daniel Hardman is back, and he’s not playing nice.
