Meghan Markle, widely recognized today as the Duchess of Sussex and the wife of British royal Prince Harry bid farewell to her role as Rachel Zane in the popular TV series Suits after Season 7. This departure marked a significant turning point in her career, coinciding with her blossoming relationship with Prince Harry.
Meghan Markle’s Departure from Suits
Meghan Markle left Suits alongside her on-screen love interest, Patrick J. Adams, who portrayed Mike Ross, in the Season 7 finale.
Their contracts, like many other cast members, were set to conclude with the end of Season 7, and both Markle and Adams chose not to renew, even though the show was renewed for Season 8. This decision came as Meghan Markle’s relationship with Prince Harry was approaching its two-year mark, beginning with a blind date in early 2016.
The news of their engagement was officially announced on November 27, 2017, just two weeks after Deadline reported their departure plans on November 13. Patrick J. Adams expressed his aspirations to explore new career opportunities, while Meghan Markle was entering a new chapter of her life as a member of the British royal family.
Meghan Markle in Suits
Meghan Markle’s journey in Suits began when she was cast as Rachel Zane in the pilot episode, which aired on June 23, 2011. Interestingly, she was the fourth actress cast in the pilot, joining the show simultaneously with Gina Torres’ Jessica Pearson.
At the time of her casting in August 2010, the show was titled “A Legal Mind,” and her character was referred to as Rachel Lane, not Rachel Zane as fans would come to know her.
Markle’s character, Rachel Zane, started as a paralegal at Pearson Hardman and later pursued her dreams of becoming a lawyer by passing the LSATs and gaining entry to Columbia Law School in Season 2. She eventually passed the bar exam in Season 6, marking a significant milestone in her character’s development.
In her final season, Season 7, Rachel Zane’s storyline reached a culmination with her becoming the head of the firm’s associates and marrying Mike Ross. The couple sailed away from New York to Seattle to run a law firm specializing in advocating for the underprivileged and taking on corporate giants.
Meghan Markel Quit Acting
Since her departure from Suits with Season 7, Meghan Markle has not made any appearances in acting roles. In 2022, she seemingly confirmed her retirement from the acting profession in an interview, stating, “No. I’m done. I guess never say never, but my intention is to absolutely not.”
Meghan Markle’s departure from Suits was a pivotal moment in her career, coinciding with her relationship with Prince Harry and her entry into the British royal family. Her journey as Rachel Zane in Suits spanned seven years and over 100 episodes, leaving a lasting impact on both the show and her career.
Today, she has transitioned into a new chapter of her life, focusing on her royal duties and charitable endeavors, while her acting days remain a cherished memory for fans of the hit legal drama series.