'Suits' Season 7 will serve as pilot for Gina Torres spinoff

Aug. 16 (UPI) -- USA Network announced that the Season 7 finale of Suits will also serve as a backdoor pilot for a potential spinoff starring Gina Torres.

The Season 7 finale of Suits will reunite Torres' character, lawyer Jessica Pearson, with Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht), Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams), Louis Litt (Rick Hoffman), Donna Paulsen (Sarah Rafferty), and Rachel Zane (Meghan Markle) as she adjusts to her new life in Chicago.

"When forced to enter the dirty world of Chicago politics, Jessica must rely on her legal wits and valiant relationships from Pearson Specter Litt to navigate this unknown territory," USA Network said.

Torres was written off of Suits in Season 6 when Pearson left the show's New York-based law firm Pearson Specter Litt and relocated to Chicago, where her potential new series will take place.

"The powerhouse character of Jessica Pearson, expertly brought to life by the incomparable Gina Torres, has won the hearts of television fans everywhere," NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment president Chris McCumber said. "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."

Anton Cropper will direct the pilot, executive-produced by Suits creators Aaron Korsh and Daniel Arkin.