Gabriel Macht to Meghan Markle: What the Solid of Fits is Up To
Today, Suits is most recognised as the TV series starring Meghan Markle as part of its cast, who is now a member of the British royal family as the Duchess of Sussex. But even during the 12-year run of the hit American TV series, the show on USA Network had gained popularity as one of the best legal dramas on the small screen.
Created by Aaron Korsh, it was initially titled A Legal Mind. USA Network placed a 12-episode order along with a 90-minute premiere. Its pilot was aired on 19 January 2011.
The show follows employees of the fictional Pearson Hardman law firm in New York City. Over a course of nine seasons, which ended on 25 September 2019, the series gained a loyal fan following for all of its main cast members. It also led to a spin-off series, Pearson, which premiered on 17 July 2019 but was cancelled after one season.
The American TV series got a new life when Netflix added the first eight seasons of Suits to the streaming platform in June 2023. The ninth season is available for streaming on Peacock along with the spin-off series Pearson. Reports suggest that NBCUniversal is making a companion series titled Suits: L.A. According to Deadline, the network has ordered a pilot episode.
The report suggests that the show will have new characters as it adds a new chapter to the series. None of the original actors will be part of the new show.
As the TV series continues its popular run on streaming platforms and fans gear up for the upcoming new version of Suits, it is time to take a look at the cast who were instrumental in the original show’s popularity.
Suits cast: A look into the careers of major TV series members
Patrick J. Adams as Michael ‘Mike’ Ross
Michael Ross is one of the two main characters of the show. Michael is highly intelligent, having cleared the bar examination multiple times, but is not a lawyer. However, he lands a job at Pearson Hardman law firm and starts taking on cases.
Adams was praised for his portrayal of the character, which he played till the seventh season in 2018. He returned as a guest in the final season in 2019. His performance earned Adams a nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series at the 18th Screen Actors Guild Awards in 2012.
Adams wasn’t a major name before he was cast in Suits TV series. He had only appeared in minor roles on TV shows and films such as Cold Case (2004), Commander in Chief (2006), NCIS (2008), Weather Girl (2009), and Pretty Little Liars (2010) among other credited or uncredited works.
The popularity of Suits helped improve his profile to some degree. He landed larger roles in shows such as Orphan Black (2014–15) and Legends of Tomorrow (2016), the latter of which saw him play the DC Comics superhero Rex Tyler/Hourman. He was also part of the sci-fi movie Clara (2018) and the drama film He Went That Way (2023) opposite Zachary Quinto and Jacob Elordi.
Gabriel Macht as Harvey Specter
Gabriel Macht played the other lead, the character of Harvey Specter, on the show. Unlike Michael, Harvey is a lawyer. Despite knowing the truth, he hires Michael as his assistant attorney.
Unlike most other cast members, Macht had little experience on TV before Suits but had a strong resumé in movies. He began his career as a child actor in the film Why Would I Lie? (1980), which earned him a nomination for Best Young Motion Picture Actor at the Young Artist Awards.
After working on films such as The Adventures of Sebastian Cole (1998) and Simply Irresistible (1999), Macht landed a major role in the war film Behind Enemy Lines (2001). Starring alongside Owen Wilson and Gene Hackman, he played the role of Naval Aviator Lieutenant Jeremy “Smoke” Stackhouse.
He then appeared in two action films, Bad Company (2002) and The Recruit (2003), which led to a key role in the spy film The Good Shepherd (2006). Directed by Robert De Niro, the film had Matt Damon and Angelina Jolie in lead roles. Macht’s last major project before Suits was the movie The Spirit (2008), in which he played the titular superhero.
His TV appearances before Suits include minor roles in Beverly Hills, 90210 (1991) and Sex and the City (1998).
Macht played Harvey Specter in all nine seasons as well as the spin-off series Pearson in 2019, which was cancelled after one season. He has since not been part of any project.
Meghan Markle as Rachel Zane
Meghan Markle went on to become the most famous cast member of the American TV series Suits once she became the Duchess. She joined the show in 2011 as the paralegal Rachel Zane, one of the main characters. The series marks the highest point in Markle’s career.
Markle landed her first on-screen role in the hit TV series General Hospital in 2001, playing a nurse in two episodes. She subsequently made minor appearances on the small screen such as CSI: NY (2006), 90210 (2008), Knight Rider (2009), Fringe (2009), and CSI: Miami (2010), as well as the holder of Case #24 in 34 episodes of reality game show Deal or No Deal (2006–2007). Her film appearances include Remember Me (2010), Horrible Bosses (2011) and Anti-Social (2015).
Markle began dating Prince Harry in July 2016. She left Suits in November 2017 as a cast member and her engagement to Prince Harry was announced the same month. Her life changed completely following their grand wedding on 19 May 2018. Markle invited many of her fellow cast members from the American TV series to the wedding, including Abigail Spencer, Gabriel Macht, Gina Torres, Jacinda Barrett, Patrick J. Adams, Rick Hoffman and Sarah Rafferty.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were granted the titles of Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Though they stepped down from their royal duties in February 2020, they continue to retain the titles. The couple have two children, Archie and Lilibet. They reside in the US, where they run the non-profit organisation Archewell.
Markle has hosted her own podcast on Spotify, titled Archetypes. Among the world-famous guests on the show were Serena Williams, Mariah Carey, Constance Wu and Mindy Kaling, among others. She also appeared with Prince Harry in the six-part Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan in 2022.
Sarah Rafferty as Donna Paulsen
Donna Paulsen is the legal secretary working for Harvey Specter. In Suits, Donna helps keep the law firm in order, especially since Harvey’s way of working leaves everything in chaos.
The role proved to be a breakout one for Sarah Rafferty, who has since gained fame on the small screen with major projects. She has since held recurring roles in Grey’s Anatomy (2020) and Chicago Med (2021–2022). She currently plays Katherine Walter, one of the main roles in the Netflix teen drama My Life with the Walter Boys (2023–).
Before her rise to popularity with Suits, Rafferty did small roles in TV and films. These include Law & Order (1999), CSI: Miami (2002), Six Feet Under (2003), Tremors (2003), Falling for Grace (2006), Four Single Fathers (2009), Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2009) and Brothers & Sisters (2010).
Rafferty also has excellent qualifications. She studied theatre at the University of Oxford and graduated magna cum laude from Hamilton College. She then earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from Yale School of Drama. She has been friends with Macht since they met in 1993 at the Williamstown Theatre Festival.
Gina Torres as Jessica Pearson
Gina Torres was already a well-known face on TV before she started playing Jessica Pearson, the law firm’s managing partner. Jessica is seen as a powerful personality who keeps the adventurous protagonists in check.
Law & Order (1992 and 1995), One Life to Live (1995–1996), Xena: Warrior Princess (1997), Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (1997–1999), CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2004), 24 (2007), Criminal Minds (2008) and The Boondocks (2010) are just some of the many TV appearances in key supporting roles that Torres did for close to two decades. During this period, she also played main roles in hit shows such as Cleopatra 2525 (2000–2001) and Firefly (2002–2003).
Thus, Suits didn’t actually change anything for Torres, as she was already popular. While working on Suits, she also played key roles in Hannibal (2013–2015) and Westworld (2016–2020), and a voice role in the acclaimed animated series Star Wars Rebels (2015–2018).
Torres left Suit in 2018. The following year, she was cast in the same role in her own spin-off series, Pearson. Following the cancellation of the spin-off, she appeared in Elena of Avalor (2019–2020) and Riverdale (2019). Torres is currently playing the main role of Tommy Vega in 9-1-1: Lone Star (2021–present).
Outside of TV, Torres is best known for playing Cas in The Matrix Reloaded (2003) and The Matrix Revolutions (2003) — her two most famous film appearances. She has also lent her voice to video games such as The Matrix Online (2005) and the Destiny franchise since 2014.
Torres was married to actor Laurence Fishburne from 2002 to 2018. They acted together in The Matrix sequels and on Hannibal.
Rick Hoffman as Louis Litt
Rick Hoffman was hardly known before he was cast in Suits. His appearances included small roles in movies such as Lethal Weapon 4 (1998), The Day After Tomorrow (2004) and Hostel (2005). On TV, however, he did get some recognition by playing Jerry Best in The Bernie Mac Show (2002–2005).
Thereafter, he appeared in minor roles in a string of shows, including multiple versions of the CSI franchise, as well as a recurring role in Samantha Who? (2007–09).
Suits has been the biggest role in Hoffman’s career. He appeared in the first eight seasons and left soon after Markle and Adams quit the show in 2018. At the time, he said that Markle and Adams were the “heart muscle” of Suits and their exit was “capital H heartbreaking.”
On Suits, Hoffman’s Louis Litt is a supervising attorney at the law firm who has issues with Specter’s way of working. Since leaving the show and a guest appearance in Pearson, Hoffman hasn’t worked on any major project on TV or films except a recurring role in Billions (2020).
Katherine Heigl as Samantha Wheeler
Katherine Heigl joined the cast of Suits as Samantha Wheeler in season eight in 2018, a season after Markle left the show. At the time, Heigl was already an established name in the world of entertainment. By all accounts, the American actor has been the most famous movie star on Suits to date.
Heigl won the Primetime Emmy Award for best supporting actress in a drama series in 2007 for Grey’s Anatomy, where she played Izzie Stevens from 2005 to 2010. She was also a major name in movies, having delivered a string of hit romantic comedy films such as Knocked Up (2007), 27 Dresses (2008), The Ugly Truth (2009), Killers (2010), Life As We Know It (2010) and New Year’s Eve (2011).
Following the ninth and final season of Suits in 2019, Heigl continued her success on both the big and small screens. She executive produced and starred in the Netflix series Firefly Lane (2021–2023). She also did the psychological horror film Fear of Rain (2021) and is set to appear in the movie That’s Amore! with John Travolta.
It was announced in 2020 that she would play Victoria Woodhull, the first woman to run for the US Presidential office, in an upcoming miniseries titled Woodhull. There has been no news on it since.
All nine seasons of Suits are available on Netflix.
(Main image: USA Network/Shane Mahood/IMDb; Featured image: USA Network/Ian Watson/IMDb)
This story first appeared on Lifestyle Asia Singapore.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– Why did Patrick J. Adams leave the American TV series Suits?
Adams played Mike, whose character arc, according to the actor, was complete by the end of season 7. Family reasons were also a factor in Adams’ departure from the show.
– Why did Suits end so abruptly?
There is a debate on whether Suits had an abrupt ending, given the fact that two main actors, Patrick J. Adams and Meghan Markle, left the American TV series in 2018, but it continued with two more seasons.
– What is the best season of American TV series Suits?
Fans believe that season 5 of Suits is its best.
Source: Prestige Online
