Massive void with Patrick J. Adams, Meghan Markle gone

Suits underwent several alterations to its storyline following the series exits of Patrick J. Adams and Meghan Markle, whose Mike Ross and Rachel Zane (finally!) married in last seasons finale and moved to Seattle.

“Suits” underwent several alterations to its storyline following the series exits of Patrick J. Adams and Meghan Markle, whose Mike Ross and Rachel Zane (finally!) married in last season’s finale and moved to Seattle.

That episode aired April 25 — about a month before Markle married Prince Harry in London — and the cast went right back to work.

“For sure coming back in April [to shoot the new season] and not having Patrick or Meghan, that was a massive void and it was really different filming that first episode,” says series star Gabriel Macht (Harvey Specter). “It was really different for me, I think. Patrick and I started the show together and we made a deal that we would create a certain atmosphere — one of trust, of risk and asking the right questions and challenging each other.

“Not only was it depressing [without Adams], I just loved having his company around,” says Macht. “It was a bit scary — that energy I relied on for so many years … he was my wingman and he wasn’t there. I texted him and he responded and said, ‘I’m here whenever you need me. I’m right here.’

“He was very supportive and helpful during the first few weeks of production [on Season 8].”

The USA legal drama, back Wednesday night at 9, has added new cast member Katherine Heigl as hard-charging attorney Samantha Wheeler and features more screen time for Wendell Pierce — Rachel’s dad, Robert Zane, whose firm merged with Pearson Specter Litt in the Season 7 finale — and Dule Hill (Alex), who joined “Suits” last season and is now a regular. Series vets Rick Hoffman (Louis) and Sarah Rafferty (Donna) are also back on the case(s).

“We had incoming players who’ve been with us for a while — Dule, Amanda [Schull, who plays Katrina] — and Wendell, and then we had this one remaining quotient: Katie [Heigl] coming in as basically a question mark,” Macht says. “I’ve always thought of her as a really strong, formidable actress who takes risks and has done so well in her career and thought, ‘Let’s just hope the chemistry is there for all of us and it goes well.’

“Within the first day we knew she fit into the family,” he says. “She got the syntax and rhythms of the script. It’s become a reboot in a way, with Dule and Amanda being full-time along with Katie. And as much as I miss Patrick and Meghan, I see them through the set — there are photos of them and storylines still exist where we explore how their two characters influenced our characters.”

So does Macht think Adams’ Mike might reappear in a future episode?

“I think there’s always the chance and I’m really hoping that’s the case,” he says. “I think when the show comes to a close that’s when we’ll see him, if the firm becomes disrupted in some way and if Harvey is anywhere near the helm he’ll probably ask one more favor — and hopefully Mike comes to town.”

He adds that Harvey, who was “totally unemotional and uber-confident” when the show premiered, has taken “baby steps” in his character development throughout the years.

“By Season 8 we see he’s a vulnerable guy who does have insecurities and abandonment issues and this season we explore some of that abandonment again,” he says. “His brother is going through a divorce and Harvey ends up helping him and trying to re-engage with his family in a different way.”

ncG1vNJzZmimqaW8tMCNnKamZ2Jlfnl7j3Bmam5fqMKqwNJmqq2ZomK6or%2FSoq2eZaaktqV51qKroWWRma6uv4ymmKujnJp6qLvNnmY%3D

 Share!