(Photo: Shane Mahood / USA Network)

Last week, we reported USA Network was contemplating a Suits TV show spin-off, starring Gina Torres as Jessica Pearson. Now Deadline reports the Firefly veteran has closed a deal with the Universal Cable Productions (UCP) studio, to star in and produce the sequel series. Although Suits creator and showrunner Aaron Korsh is still working out his deal, according to the report, he’ll take the reins on the spin-off, too.

Fans don’t have to worry about Suits being cancelled in the near future. The legal drama was renewed for a seventh season, back in August. Still, this may be a sign that Korsh and co. are working toward a conclusion. The USA Network TV series stars Gabriel Macht, Patrick J. Adams, Rick Hoffman, Sarah Rafferty, and Meghan Markle.  

Gina Torres Signs On for Suits TV Show Spin-off at USA Network

Here is more, from Deadline:

The new series, which is in very early stages of development, is based on an idea Torres brought to UCP, which is ran (sic) by Jeff Wachtel. There has been a lot of enthusiasm for the project, with Torres’ deal closing quickly as UCP stepped up while Torres was fielding offers for broadcast pilots.

“I’m beyond grateful for this opportunity and the level of confidence Bonnie Hammer, Jeff Wachtel and everyone at UCP have in me and the potential of this project,” Torres said in a statement to Deadline. “Can’t wait to get started.”

Korsh will serve as an executive producer and showrunner on the spin-off series, shepherding it alongside his showrunner duties on Suits.

“Gina had the idea and went to the studio. She pitched an idea of what happens if we follow Jessica into the future a little bit,” Korsh told Deadline. “She has a specific take on it that we’re still mulling over right now. They were excited about it, I was excited about it, and we decided to move forward with thinking about what it is.”

[…]

Korsh quickly came on board the potential spin-off, which he would be writing by himself or with another writer. It is unclear yet whether the potential offshoot would be worked into the story of the upcoming seventh season of Suits or it will be developed completely on its own .

“Jessica Pearson is an iconic character in my mind and hopefully in the public’s mind,” he said. “Gina Torres is a consummate professional both as an actress and brilliant human being, and I think she’s emerging as s a force as a producer. So when we talked about it, we got very excited about it — both from a creative possibility standpoint and just working with Gina. She’s just such a pleasure to work with, so though it is in its early stages, I’m very excited because I love Gina and I love Jessica.”

What do you think? Are you a Gina Torres fan? Did you catch her return in last night’s Suits season six finale? Will you tune in for the new Suits TV show spin-off, if USA orders it to series? Let us know, below.