Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has been left disappointed after her request to return to the hit legal drama Suits was rejected by the show’s creator and showrunner, Aaron Korsh.
Markle expressed her interest in reprising her role as Rachel Zane in a potential reboot of the show, which ended in 2019 after nine successful seasons.
However, her demands for a comeback were deemed unreasonable by Korsh.
In an email to Korsh, Markle revealed her desire to reconnect with her former co-stars and fans, stating that she missed acting.
However, she also outlined several conditions for her return.
Firstly, she demanded a staggering $57,000 per episode, more than double her earnings in the final season of Suits and higher than any other cast member, including lead actor Gabriel Macht.
Additionally, Markle wanted creative control over her character and storyline, as well as the final say on the script, direction, and editing.
She even proposed a special guest appearance by her husband, Prince Harry, who would play her love interest or client on the show.
Lastly, Markle insisted on having a clause in her contract that would allow her to quit the show at any time without facing penalties.
Korsh was reportedly shocked and appalled by Markle’s email, choosing to ignore it rather than respond.
He believed that her demands were excessive and reflected a lack of respect for him and the show.
Furthermore, Korsh felt that Markle intended to leverage Suits as a platform to enhance her celebrity status and financial gain, following her and Prince Harry’s decision to step back from royal duties in 2020 and pursue various media and commercial ventures in California, such as a Netflix deal, a podcast, and a memoir.
The creator of Suits also expressed his disappointment in Markle for allegedly betraying and abandoning the show when she married Prince Harry and became a member of the British royal family in 2018.
Korsh pointed out that she left the show midway through the seventh season and had minimal contact with him or the rest of the cast since then.
He believed that Markle’s controversies and scandals, such as her highly-publicized interview with Oprah Winfrey, her feud with the royal family, and her lawsuit against British tabloids, had tarnished the reputation and legacy of Suits.
Korsh’s decision to reject Markle’s email has garnered support from other cast members of Suits, who have also expressed their disapproval and disappointment with her behavior.
Among them are Patrick J. Adams, who portrayed Mike Ross, Rachel Zane’s husband, and was snubbed by Markle at the Golden Globes, where she and Gabriel Macht excluded him from their reunion on the red carpet and on stage.
Gina Torres, who played Jessica Pearson, Rachel Zane’s mentor and boss, was criticized by Markle for her portrayal of a strong and independent woman of color on the show.
Additionally, Sarah Rafferty, who portrayed Donna Paulson, Rachel Zane’s friend and colleague, was unfollowed by Markle on Instagram after posting a photo of herself wearing a hat that said “Make America Great Again.”
Markle has not publicly commented on Korsh’s rejection, but a close source revealed to People that she was hurt and confused by his silence.
Markle had hoped for a positive and professional relationship with Korsh and the rest of the Suits team.
The source also emphasized that Markle had no ulterior motives for wanting to return to Suits; she simply felt nostalgic and passionate about the show.
While the Suits reboot or spinoff is still in development, it appears unlikely that Markle will be involved in any capacity, as Korsh has made it clear that he does not want her back.
The impact of this decision on the show’s success and fanbase remains to be seen.