Before Meghan Markle became embroiled in controversies and drama following her marriage to Prince Harry, she was best known for her role as Rachel Zane in the hit legal drama, Suits. Markle exited the series in Season 7 alongside her co-star Patrick J. Adams.
A still from Suits | Credit: USA NetworkTheir on-screen chemistry as Rachel Zane and Mike Ross captivated audiences for years. And while fans might have envisioned heartfelt goodbyes, tearful speeches, and a celebration of their journey together, Adams has revealed that their farewell was far from the expected Hollywood send-off.
Patrick J. Adams reflected on his final days on Suits with Meghan Markle
After starring in the hit legal drama for seven years, which has now spawned a spin-off, Suits: L.A., Patrick J. Adams, and Meghan Markle bid farewell to the show in the Season 7 finale, with their characters getting married and relocating to Seattle.
Patrick J. Adams as Michael Ross in Suits | Credit: USA NetworkTalking about his time on the show in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Adams opened up about his close bond with Markle, saying, “We grew up together over the course of the show.”
He also shared,
In some ways, Meghan and I were the closest because we were the youngest people in the cast and both came in with the least experience — There was this natural sense that we both knew that the time had come for both of us.
However, the actor also shared that amid the significant changes happening in Markle’s life at the time, including her romance with Prince Harry, they didn’t have the chance to discuss the timing of their exits.
“With Meghan, a lot went unsaid. Meghan has this whole crazy part of her life that’s just beginning now,” he said. However, despite the unspoken nature of their departures, Adams explained that they fully embraced their final days on set.
Meghan Markle in Suits | Credits: Open 4 Business Productions“We both knew that we wouldn’t be coming back,” he shared as he explained,
It made every one of our scenes that much more special. We had a great time. We could laugh through it. Even the things that might have frustrated us about the show, they became things that we could have a good laugh about.
Following their exit from the legal drama, both Adams and Meghan Markle went on their respective paths. Markle chose to leave acting to marry Prince Harry, while Adams continued his acting career. Adams did eventually for the show’s final season, but Markle reportedly has no intention of returning to acting.
What did Meghan Markle say about quitting Suits and acting?
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry reportedly started dating in 2016. And after the British royal proposed to the former actress, she revealed that she would be stepping away from acting.
Talking about the changes in her life and career in an interview with Sky News, Markle said, “I don’t see it as giving anything up. I just see it as a change,” via E! News.
Meghan Markle | Credit: NetflixShe further explained,
It’s a new chapter, right? And also, keep in mind, I’ve been working on [Suits] for seven years. We were very, very fortunate to have that sort of longevity on a series…I’ve ticked this box, and I feel very proud of the work I’ve done there, and now it’s time to work with [Harry] as a team.
Since stepping away from acting, Markle has not returned to any new roles in television. However, with a new spin-off of Suits on the way, some fans are hopeful she might make a cameo appearance.
Though she has not pursued acting since her exit from Suits and marriage to Prince Harry, the Duchess of Sussex has remained active in other ventures. She launched the podcast Archetypes, starred in the Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, and is set to return with a new lifestyle show titled With Love, Meghan.
Suits is available to watch on Netflix.