USA NETWORK AND UNIVERSAL CABLE PRODUCTIONS CONFIRM SPINOFF PILOT STARRING GINA TORRES TO AIR IN THE CURRENT SEASON OF "SUITS"

From SUITS Creator Aaron Korsh and Executive Producer Daniel Arkin, the Finale Episode of SUITS Season 7 to Serve as Backdoor Pilot for Potential Spinoff

NEW YORK, NY- August 16, 2017 - USA Network and Universal Cable Productions (UCP) today announced that the Season 7 finale of SUITS, airing in the first quarter of 2018, will serve as a potential spinoff that would center around powerhouse lawyer Jessica Pearson (Gina Torres). The pilot will be executive produced and written by SUITS creator and executive producer Aaron Korsh and executive producer Daniel Arkin, and will be directed by SUITS alum Anton Cropper ("House of Lies," "Blackish"). Doug Liman, David Bartis and Gene Klein of Hypnotic (SUITS) will also serve as executive producers.

The pivotal Season 7 finale will reunite Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht), Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams), Louis Litt (Rick Hoffman), Donna Paulsen (Sarah Rafferty) and Rachel Zane (Meghan Markle) with their old friend Pearson as she adjusts to her new life in the Windy City. When she is forced to enter the dirty world of Chicago politics, Pearson must rely on her legal wits and valiant relationships from Pearson Specter Litt to navigate this unknown territory.

"The powerhouse character of Jessica Pearson, expertly brought to life by the incomparable Gina Torres, has won the hearts of television fans everywhere," said Chris McCumber, President, Entertainment Networks, NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment. "USA Network is beyond thrilled to work with Gina, Aaron Korsh, the entire SUITS producing team and our partners at UCP to explore the exciting next phase of Jessica's story."

"Gina Torres is a terrific actress and a valued member of our family," said Jeff Wachtel, Chief Content Officer, NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, and President, Universal Cable Productions. "Gina and Aaron have created a truly memorable character in Jessica Pearson, and we felt we owed it to the audience - and ourselves! - to follow her journey beyond the original show."

Last season, Pearson left the firm in the hands of her two most trusted lawyers and fellow named partners, Harvey Specter and Louis Litt. She made a triumphant surprise return in the Season 6 finale to help Mike Ross become officially recognized as a lawyer. This season, Pearson returned to help guide Harvey as he navigates his new role as managing partner. The first half of SUITS Season 7 currently airs Wednesdays at 9/8c. The Season 7 finale will air in the first quarter of 2018.

About USA Network:

USA Network, the leader in cable entertainment, offers a powerful stable of dramatic, comedic and unscripted originals in more than 102 million U.S. homes. The network also features spectacular live television, a dynamic portfolio of acquired series and the best in blockbuster theatrical films and entertainment events. A trailblazer in digital innovation and storytelling, USA is defining, driving and setting the industry standard for Social TV. USA is a program service of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal. USA's award-winning website is located at http://www.usanetwork.com. Watch USA Network anywhere: On Demand, online or across mobile and connected TVs.

About Universal Cable Productions:

Universal Cable Productions (UCP) creates innovative and critically acclaimed original scripted content for all media platforms. Its robust slate of programming includes: the Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning drama "Mr. Robot," "Colony," "Damnation," "Falling Water," "Playing House," "Shooter," "The Sinner," "Suits" and "Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G" for USA Network; "12 Monkeys," "Blood Drive," "Channel Zero," "Happy!," "Killjoys" and "The Magicians" for SYFY; "The Purge" for USA and SYFY; "All That Glitters," "Girlfriends' Guide To Divorce" and "Imposters" for Bravo; "The Arrangement" and "The Royals" for E!; "The Umbrella Academy" for Netflix; "Impulse" for YouTube Red; and "Difficult People" for Hulu. UCP's content library also features critic and fan favorites such as the Emmy-award winning "Monk" as well as "Battlestar Galactica" and "Psych." Universal Cable Productions is a part of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. Follow us @UCPisTV.