Back in 2016, when the world first learned about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's blossoming relationship, the actress suddenly became the center of attention—not just as a future royal but as a star of the hit show Suits. Since 2013, Meghan had been playing the sharp and tenacious Rachel Zane, and fans were curious about how her real-life romance might affect her commitment to the series. As it turned out, Meghan eventually chose to step away from acting, with the seventh season of Suits marking her final bow on the show. But what did this mean for the show's creators and the beloved character of Rachel Zane?

How Meghan's Royal Romance Shaped 'Suits'

In a recent chat with Variety, Aaron Korsh, the creator of Suits, opened up about how Meghan's real-life fairy tale influenced the show's storyline. Korsh revealed that early on, he started planning an exit strategy for Rachel Zane, anticipating that Meghan's life was about to take a dramatic turn. “I made the call pretty early in the season," Korsh explained. "I don’t recall the exact timing, but as Meghan’s romance with Prince Harry unfolded, it became clear that her life was heading in a different direction. If she were to marry a prince, I figured she wouldn’t stay on the show.”

Planning for a Graceful Exit

For Korsh and the writing team, it wasn’t just about losing a main character—it was about ensuring that Rachel Zane’s departure felt authentic and meaningful. "We wanted to give Rachel a proper send-off," Korsh continued. "Rather than have her abruptly disappear or leave under some bizarre, contrived circumstances, we decided to embrace the idea that Meghan’s real-life love story could inspire a fairytale ending for Rachel as well." The team felt it was better to prepare for her exit early, allowing them to craft a fitting conclusion for the character rather than scrambling at the last minute.

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“Imagine having to write her out in some random, unrealistic way—like getting hit by a bus or something," Korsh joked. "That just didn’t feel right. So, as the year went on and it seemed more likely that Meghan would leave, we started thinking about how to handle Rachel’s storyline gracefully. It was definitely a calculated risk, but one we felt was worth taking.”

A Gamble That Paid Off

Korsh has described this approach as a bit of a gamble. “We took a chance by betting on Meghan’s happiness," he admitted in an interview with Radio 4’s Today show. "We figured if good things happened for her in real life, it would likely mean she’d leave the show. But planning for that possibility made more sense than assuming she’d stay forever and then being caught off guard.”

While it might sound unusual for a group of writers to be so attuned to the British tabloids, Korsh insists it was all part of giving the show—and its characters—the best possible ending. “At the end of the day, we wanted Meghan to be happy, and if that meant writing Rachel out in a way that felt true to the story, then that’s what we were going to do,” he added.

meghan markle suits getty images — Getty Image

Meghan as Rachel Zane on Suits.

Ultimately, Korsh and the Suits team made the right call, crafting a storyline that honored both Meghan’s real-life journey and Rachel Zane’s legacy on the show. Fans appreciated the care taken to ensure Rachel’s departure felt natural and heartfelt. And while saying goodbye to such a beloved character was bittersweet, it’s hard not to root for someone whose real-life story rivals the best Hollywood scripts.

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