A Star Is Born, Thanks to Her Character
Before she was the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle's Suits role was the foundation of her career. The show's success brought her widespread recognition and a loyal fanbase. Her portrayal of the ambitious and intelligent paralegal, Rachel Zane, showcased her acting prowess and style. This visibility, and the strong connection the audience felt to her character, were crucial in building her profile, something that altered her life forever. In a 2017 interview, Markle herself reflected on the longevity of her time on Suits and said she was "very, very fortunate" to have had that experience.
Rachel Zane's Influence on Her Personal Life
The show did more than just boost her career; it deeply influenced her personal journey. On set, she forged strong relationships with her co-stars, many of whom attended her wedding to Prince Harry. Her on-screen love story with character Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams) became a central plotline, culminating in a fictional wedding that aired just weeks before her real-life royal wedding. A former co-star even warned her that her world would be changed "forever" by her relationship with Prince Harry. The parallels between her fictional and real-life paths are clear, showing how the Meghan Markle Suits experience blended with and foreshadowed her own destiny. The connection she felt to her character was so strong that she once called Rachel Zane a "close friend".
The Style of the Meghan Markle Suits Character
Another notable impact was the profound influence of the Rachel Zane persona on fashion. The character's polished, professional, and sophisticated wardrobe became an iconic element of the show. Markle's ability to pull off such a powerful style translated seamlessly into her public appearances off-screen. Her fashion sense and poise were honed through embodying the Meghan Markle Suits character, and it became an essential part of her public image. She even kept a pencil skirt from the first episode as a "time capsule" of her journey. Her work as the character had a significant impact on her own style, affecting her life forever.
Life After the Character: A Whole New World
Ultimately, it was the timing of her exit from Suits that truly changed her life forever. Departing the show after her engagement to Prince Harry marked a major transition from actress to royal. The show's creators provided a fitting send-off for her character, wrapping up her storyline with a happy ending, which was a remarkable coincidence considering her real-life trajectory. It was a new chapter, as Markle noted at the time, leaving acting behind to focus on her new role and the causes important to her. Her years inhabiting the Meghan Markle Suits character had prepared her for this new level of public scrutiny and philanthropy.
More Than Just a Role, a Life-Defining Moment
For many actors, a breakthrough role can be a career highlight, but for Meghan Markle, playing Rachel Zane was much more. It was a life-defining moment. The visibility and experience she gained from being the Meghan Markle Suits character were instrumental in shaping the person the public knows today. Her work as a prominent character for so many years solidified her as a talented professional and laid the groundwork for her future. The decision to leave the show to start a new life was monumental, proving that her role as Rachel Zane truly changed her life forever.
A Legacy That Persists
Even years after she left the show, the legacy of Rachel Zane and the Meghan Markle Suits era continues. With the show finding new life on streaming services, a new generation of viewers is discovering the character. This revival has further cemented the impact of her role and how it continues to shape the conversation around her. The ongoing fascination with the Meghan Markle Suits years proves that for her, that character's story is intertwined with her own, leaving an impression that has altered her life forever.
