BEFORE Meghan Markle earned the title Duchess of Sussex, she had formed a career as a star on the small screen.
Prior to marrying Prince Harry, Meghan starred in the US show Suits. But who did she play and when did she leave the world of acting behind? Here’s everything you need to know.
Meghan Markle played character Rachel Zane in the US network show Suits
Who did Meghan Markle play in Suits?
Meghan played paralegal Rachel Zane on Suits for seven seasons.
Her character eventually worked her way up the legal ladder to become an attorney.
Throughout her time on the show, Meghan’s character Rachel grew close to attorney Mike Ross, played by Patrick J Adams.
The legal drama revolved around Mike Ross, who managed to gain a position at a swanky lawyer’s office in New York city.
Throughout the show, the on-screen couple became romantically involved and then went on to marry and set up their own legal firm in Seattle.
The on-screen couples exit in the show coincided with Meghan’s real-life departure from the world of acting.
How long was Meghan Markle in Suits for?
Meghan hit the big time when she starred in Suits.
Before that, she only had small parts on TV and in films.
She was on Suits right from the beginning and was in the show’s pilot which aired on June 23, 2011.
However, she waved goodbye to the show in season 7, after she became engaged to Prince Harry.
In total she was in 108 episodes from 2011 until 2018.
Why did Meghan Markle quit Suits?
Whilst the exact reason for Meghan Markle leaving Suits has never been confirmed, her final season did coincide with her getting married to Prince Harry.
Meghan’s last ever Suits episode aired in April 2018 – just a few weeks later on May 19, 2018, she became Duchess of Sussex.
Showrunner Aaron Korsh revealed to Radio 4 in 2017 that he had actually begun writing her character out after she began dating Harry.
He said: “I sort of had a decision to make because I didn’t want to intrude and ask her, ‘Hey, what’s going on? What are you going to do?’
“So, collectively the writers, we decided to take a gamble that these two people are in love and it’s going to work out.”
Who were Meghan Markle’s co-stars?
Meghan worked alongside Patrick J Adams, who played her love interest Mike Ross.
They were joined in the cast by:
- Gabriel Macht as Harvey Specter
- Rick Hoffman as Louis Litt
- Sarah Rafferty as Donna Paulsen
- Gina Torres as Jessica Pearson
Many of Meghan’s TV co-stars were in attendance at her royal wedding to Prince Harry.
