Suits LACreator Aaron Korsh Recalls the ‘Great Experience’ of Working with Late ‘Icon’ John Amos in His Final Onscreen Role (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Aaron Korsh; John Amos.Photo:Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty; Bennett Raglin/WireImage

Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty; Bennett Raglin/WireImage

Suits LAcreator Aaron Korsh is recalling the “great experience” of working with the late iconJohn Amosin the series' premiere episode.

While speaking exclusively to PEOPLE at the Los Angeles premiere of the show on Thursday, Feb. 20, Korsh — who also created the originalSuits— described working with Amos as “amazing.”

“I’m of the age where he was a huge, iconic figure for me as a child. So when I meet someone like that, I think of what would 10, 11, 12, 7-year-old me think of this? And it was amazing," he says. “He was an amazing guy, and it was such a great experience.”

Korsh, 58, went on to share that Amos’ 2024 death “affected” him — explaining that he ultimately decided to incorporate his emotions into the upcoming season. TheSuits LAprotagonist, Ted Black(Stephen Amell), is a former federal prosecutor who relocates to L.A. to represent high-powered Hollywood clients — including Amos, who plays himself, in the pilot episode.

“I thought if [Amos’ death is affecting] me, it would affect Ted Black a hell of a lot more than me since I only met him once and Ted had known him for 20 years,” Korsh tells PEOPLE. “So, we actually wrote […] his passing into an episode and we’re going to dedicate the episode to him.”

John Amos in 2016.Shareif Ziyadat/WireImage

Shareif Ziyadat/WireImage

Amos first rose to fame playing the older version of Kunta Kinte in the groundbreakingminiseriesRootsin 1977. The series marked the first mainstream depiction of American slavery from the perspective of the slaves themselves and broke major viewership records at the time.

Madge Sinclair and John Amos in ‘Roots’ in 1977.ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

Amos later appeared as a series regular on the famedMary Tyler Moore Show, as well in such other iconic projects asComing to AmericaandThe West Wing.

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Mary Tyler Moore and John Amos on ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’ in 1973.CBS via Getty

CBS via Getty

Suits LAwas Amos’ last onscreen performance before the actor died ofcongestive heart failureat the age of 84 in Inglewood, Calif., on Aug. 21, 2024. Amos' son, Kelly Christopher Amos, confirmed the Emmy-nominated actor’s passing two months later in a statement shared with PEOPLE on Oct. 1.

“It is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you that my father has transitioned,” he wrote. “He was a man with the kindest heart and a heart of gold… and he was loved the world over.”

Suits L.A.premieres Feb. 23 at 9 p.m. ET on NBC and will be available on Peacock the next day.

source: people.com