Meghan Markle, now known worldwide as the Duchess of Sussex, was once best known for her portrayal of Rachel Zane in the hit legal drama Suits. Before her royal marriage and philanthropic pursuits, Markle played an ambitious paralegal who climbed up the legal ladder to become an associate at the fictional law firm Pearson Hardman.
Suits aired on USA Network from 2011 to 2018. Markle’s character was introduced in the show’s first season, quickly becoming a fan favorite due to her intelligence, tenacity, and complicated love story with Mike Ross, portrayed by Patrick J. Adams. Rachel Zane’s journey from paralegal to lawyer was one of the key narrative threads in Suits, reflecting Markle’s own journey from a relatively unknown actress to a household name.
Markle’s departure from Suits came during its seventh season, coinciding with her engagement to Prince Harry. The decision to leave the show was not an easy one for Markle, who had dedicated almost a decade of her life to portraying Rachel Zane. However, her impending marriage and new responsibilities as a member of the British royal family necessitated this change. Even prior to her leaving the series, her royal in-laws were advising the show’s creator Aaron Korsh on certain phrases Markle could and couldn’t recite on television. One notable example is when a joke featuring the word “poppycock” was forced to be removed from the script.
In her final season of Suits, Rachel Zane married her long-time love interest, Mike Ross, in a poignant farewell episode that echoed Markle’s real-life journey towards her own wedding. The series continued for two more seasons after her departure, with the remaining characters often referencing Rachel and Mike’s absence.
As for the question of whether Markle will return to Suits, the answer, at least for now, seems to be a firm no. Following her marriage to Prince Harry in May 2018, Markle retired from acting to focus on her royal duties and philanthropic endeavors. Although she and Harry have since stepped back from their roles as senior members of the royal family, Markle has shown no indication of returning to her acting career.
Instead, she and Prince Harry have launched Archewell, a non-profit organization aimed at “building compassionate communities” and promoting “the power of the human spirit”. They have also signed a multi-year deal with Netflix to produce documentaries, docu-series, feature films, scripted television shows, and children’s programming through their production company, Archewell Productions.
While fans may be disappointed that Markle won’t be reprising her role as Rachel Zane, they can take comfort in the fact that her time on Suits helped pave the way for her current endeavors. Her portrayal of a strong, ambitious woman in a competitive environment undoubtedly prepared her for the challenges she would face as a member of the royal family and a global philanthropist.
Meghan Markle’s performance as Rachel Zane on Suits will always hold a special place in television history. Her journey from the fictional world of Pearson Hardman to the very real world of British royalty is a testament to her resilience, adaptability, and commitment to using her platform to effect positive change.