Meghan Markle’s ‘Suits’ Exit: Unraveling Rachel Zane’s Departure and Her Royal Transition
The legal drama Suits has recently experienced an unprecedented resurgence, captivating a new generation of viewers and delighting original fans on Netflix. This unexpected renewed popularity has brought its memorable characters, particularly the intelligent and ambitious paralegal Rachel Zane, back into the spotlight. For many, this has led to a natural curiosity about the actress who portrayed her so brilliantly: Meghan Markle. As audiences rediscover the compelling storylines and sharp dialogue, questions surrounding Meghan Markle’s departure from the hit USA Network series at the end of season 7 have resurfaced. Her exit, alongside co-star Patrick J. Adams, marked a significant turning point not only for the show but profoundly for her own life.
- Meghan Markle famously portrayed Rachel Zane, a fan-favorite character in the acclaimed USA Network series Suits, for seven seasons.
- Her departure from the series occurred after the conclusion of season 7, coinciding with major life changes.
- Following her exit from Suits, Meghan Markle ceased her acting career, transitioning into a new chapter of her life.
Long before she became known globally as the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle established herself as a prominent actress through her role as Rachel Zane. Her nuanced portrayal of the beloved character, evolving from a paralegal to a high-powered attorney, resonated deeply with audiences throughout her tenure on Suits. The series, which originally aired on the USA Network, has recently found a new lease on life after being acquired by Netflix. It has quickly shattered streaming records, becoming the most-watched acquired title ever on the platform. This renewed viewership has inevitably led many to relive, or discover for the first time, Meghan’s final episodes as Rachel Zane and the circumstances that prompted her departure at the close of season 7.
The season 7 finale, which serves as a poignant farewell for Rachel and her on-screen husband, Mike Ross, naturally sparks a myriad of questions among viewers. What exactly propelled Meghan Markle’s decision to leave such a successful show? Was there ever a possibility of her returning for the subsequent final two seasons? To unravel these mysteries and understand the full story behind Meghan Markle’s memorable exit from Suits, let’s delve deeper into the timeline and the significant life events that shaped her professional trajectory.
Why Did Meghan Markle Leave Suits?
The initial reports concerning Meghan Markle’s impending departure from Suits first emerged in November 2017. Deadline was among the first outlets to break the news, indicating that Meghan and her long-standing co-star, Patrick J. Adams, were both expected to conclude their roles on the series at the end of its seventh season. This timing was highly significant, as Meghan’s high-profile relationship with Prince Harry had recently become public knowledge, drawing intense global media attention. Both actors had reached the natural conclusion of their initial contracts with the series, providing a window for renegotiation or departure. For Meghan, this contractual end perfectly aligned with a pivotal moment in her personal life.
Just a mere few weeks after these initial reports, a momentous announcement rocked the world: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry confirmed their engagement on November 27, 2017. The excitement was palpable, and the implications for Meghan’s career were immediately apparent. The very next day after the engagement news broke, USA Network officially confirmed what many had suspected: Meghan Markle would indeed be leaving the beloved legal drama.
The network released a heartfelt statement, acknowledging her significant contributions to the show and wishing her well in her future endeavors. “From all of us at USA Network and Universal Cable Productions, we want to send our most heartfelt congratulations to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry on their engagement. Meghan has been a member of our family for 7 years and it has been a joy to work with her. We want to thank her for her undeniable passion and dedication to Suits, and we wish her the very best,” the statement read. This message highlighted the amicable nature of her departure, emphasizing the respect and gratitude held for her by the production team and network. Her impending marriage to a member of the British Royal Family presented a unique and undeniable reason for her career transition, signaling a shift from Hollywood to royal life.
During her first joint interview with Prince Harry following their engagement, Meghan Markle openly shared her decision to step away from acting after Suits. She articulated her clear intention to dedicate herself to her new responsibilities as a working royal. Far from viewing it as a sacrifice, she expressed a positive outlook on this significant life change. “I don’t see it as giving anything up. I just see it as a change,” she explained at the time. “It’s a new chapter, right? And also, keep in mind, I’ve been working on [Suits] for 7 years. We were very, very fortunate to have that sort of longevity on a series.” She further elaborated on her sense of accomplishment and readiness for what lay ahead, adding, “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.” Her words conveyed a sense of fulfillment with her acting career and an eager anticipation for her new public role, signaling a deliberate and thoughtful transition rather than a forced cessation.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry exchanged vows in a spectacular royal wedding on May 19, 2018, an event that captivated millions worldwide. This joyous occasion took place just weeks after the emotional Suits season 7 finale aired, perfectly aligning her real-life fairy tale with her character’s on-screen nuptials. True to her word, Meghan has not taken on any acting roles since her departure from Suits, effectively concluding that chapter of her professional life. However, she has remained firmly in the public eye, particularly through her and Prince Harry’s post-royal endeavors. She was a central figure in the highly anticipated Harry & Meghandocuseries, which premiered on Netflix in late 2022, offering an intimate look into their lives and decisions. Following their decision to step down as senior royals in 2020, the couple embarked on a new path, signing a multi-year, multi-million dollar deal with Netflix. This partnership has paved the way for several projects, including their upcoming documentary series, Heart of Invictus, which is expected to premiere on the streaming service in 2023, showcasing their commitment to causes close to their hearts.
While their journey into content creation initially included a significant deal with Spotify, that partnership concluded after just one season of Meghan’s successful Archetypes podcast. This announcement led to speculation about the stability of their various ventures. However, Netflix swiftly released a statement to confirm that their robust deal with Meghan and Prince Harry remained firmly intact, underscoring their continued commitment to collaborating on a range of productions.
Reaffirming their confidence in the partnership, a Netflix spokesperson shared insights with PEOPLE. “We value our partnership with Archewell Productions,” the spokesperson stated. “Harry & Meghan was Netflix’s biggest documentary debut ever, and we’ll continue to work together on a number of projects, including the upcoming documentary series Heart of Invictus.” This statement not only highlighted the success of their previous collaborations but also solidified the future of their creative endeavors, signaling a clear shift for Meghan Markle from on-screen performance to behind-the-scenes production and advocacy.
How Did Mike & Rachel Leave Suits?
Within the narrative of Suits, the beloved characters Rachel Zane and her long-time love, Mike Ross, culminated their enduring relationship in a highly anticipated wedding during the show’s season 7 finale. This on-screen ceremony served as an emotional high point for fans who had followed their journey from mentor-mentee to soulmates. The timing and significance of Mike and Rachel’s wedding were almost uncannily parallel to Meghan Markle’s own real-life journey, adding an extra layer of poignancy and meta-narrative for viewers. After finally tying the knot and realizing their professional ambitions, the newlywed couple made the life-altering decision to move to Seattle, where they planned to establish a new firm focused on pro bono work, leaving New York City behind.
Reflecting on the final scenes and the departure of two integral cast members, Suits creator Aaron Korsh shared his sentiments with Deadline. “The whole thing was emotional, and I felt like we all went out on a real high note,” Korsh stated, acknowledging the impact of Patrick and Meghan’s last performances. He emphasized the collective positive experience surrounding their farewell, adding, “I feel like hopefully we went out on a high note creatively but I know we went out with great feelings towards each other personally at the end of the season.” This confirms that both the fictional characters and the real-life actors departed the series under mutually supportive and emotionally resonant circumstances, leaving a lasting impression on the show’s legacy.
Did Meghan Markle Ever Return To Suits?
When Meghan Markle announced her decision to step away from acting following her time on Suits, she was resolute in her intention. The Duchess of Sussex has indeed maintained this stance, refraining from any acting roles since her departure from the legal drama. This means that, despite the show continuing for two more seasons after her exit, she did not return to reprise her role as Rachel Zane. Her journey into royal life and subsequent philanthropic and production work solidified her pivot away from an on-screen career. Interestingly, her co-star Patrick J. Adams did make a return, appearing for three episodes in the show’s ninth and final season. His character, Mike Ross, came back into the Suits fold to offer crucial assistance to his former mentor, Harvey Specter, during a challenging period, while Rachel Zane remained off-screen, continuing her new life and career in Seattle.
The unexpected and massive resurgence of Suits on Netflix in 2023 reignited conversations and hopes among many fans about a potential return for Meghan Markle to acting. The thought of Rachel Zane making a cameo or even a brief appearance fueled considerable speculation. However, the former actress, who now resides in California with her family, has remained quite certain about her career path. In a candid interview with Variety in 2022, Meghan directly addressed the possibility of acting again. “No. I’m done. I guess never say never, but my intention is to absolutely not,” she firmly stated, reiterating her commitment to her new endeavors and her clear separation from her previous acting career.
Despite her definitive statements about not returning to acting, Meghan Markle did make headlines in April 2023 when she signed with WME, one of Hollywood’s most prestigious talent agencies, as Variety reported. This move might suggest a renewed interest in the entertainment industry, but it’s crucial to understand the nuances of her role. The Duchess’s focus will explicitly “not be an area of focus” for acting. Instead, Meghan and Prince Harry are channeling their creative energies into behind-the-scenes work, specifically developing and producing engaging content through their Archewell Productions banner. Their latest exciting venture exemplifies this shift: an upcoming Netflix film adaptation of Carley Fortune’s critically acclaimed and bestselling novel, Meet Me at the Lake. This project underscores their commitment to storytelling from a production standpoint.
The author herself expressed immense excitement about this partnership, sharing the news on Instagram. “I’m thrilled to confirm that I’m teaming up with Netflix and Archewell productions on the adaptation of Meet Me at the Lake. Will and Fern’s love story is dear to my heart, and I can’t imagine a more perfect partnership. Writing this book was a tremendous personal challenge, and to see it recognized in this way is truly incredible,” Fortune revealed, highlighting the synergy between her work and the couple’s vision. This adaptation reflects Meghan’s desire to infuse themes of love and connection into their projects, aligning with her broader creative philosophy.
Meghan has been consistently open about her aspiration to make love stories a cornerstone of her collaborative work with Netflix moving forward. This vision extends beyond just their personal narrative, aiming to explore universal themes of affection and relationships. “So much of how my husband and I see things is through our love story. I think that’s what people around the world connected to, especially with our wedding. People love love. I’m not excluded in that sentiment,” Meghan eloquently shared with Variety. She articulated her desire to branch out into various genres while staying true to this core theme. “For scripted, we want to think about how we can evolve from that same space and do something fun. It doesn’t always have to be so serious. Like a good rom-com. Don’t we miss them? I miss them so much.” This statement clearly outlines her future ambitions within the entertainment industry: not as an actress returning to the screen, but as a producer and visionary who aims to bring heartwarming and relatable narratives, particularly romantic comedies, to a global audience.