Suits' Harvey Specter's Secret Love Life Revealed: Unveiling the Women Who Came Before Donna & His Ultimate Soulmate

Summary

Suits explored the personal lives of its characters to develop their dynamics and appeal to a wider audience beyond corporate law.

Harvey had been involved in multiple romantic relationships prior to marrying Donna, even though his main focus was on succeeding in corporate battles.

From the very beginning, it was clear that Harvey and Donna had great potential as a couple. However, due to the show's storytelling and character progression, their relationship was postponed until the later seasons.

Harvey, before marrying Donna, had multiple girlfriends in Suits, with one being initially intended as his ultimate partner. The main appeal of Suits, as a legal drama, lay in its office politics. Particularly in its early years, Harvey and Mike's relationship took center stage in the series. However, in an effort to diversify the storytelling and explore character dynamics, Suits also delved into the personal lives of the Pearson Hardman employees. This provided an additional point of interest for viewers who were not particularly drawn to the corporate law aspect of the USA Network show.

A crucial aspect of developing well-rounded characters was to provide glimpses into their personal lives. However, uncovering Harvey's journey beyond his professional endeavors was challenging in the initial seasons of Suits due to his emotionally guarded nature. His family was seldom mentioned, later revealed to be a result of a turbulent past. While Suits focused on the blossoming romance between Mike and Rachel, Harvey prioritized winning every corporate battle he engaged in. This does not imply that he never pursued any romantic relationships, but given his status as a successful lawyer in New York City, it is surprising that he had only dated a few women prior to marrying Donna.

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5 Zoe Lawford

Zoe Lawford, portrayed by Jacinda Barrett, made her first appearance on Suits in season 2, episode 7, titled "Sucker Punch," as Gabriel Macht's real-life wife. Although her introduction in the show occurred later on, it is revealed that Zoe had previous connections to the law firm of Pearson, Hardman. Five years before Mike joined the company, Zoe worked as a senior associate and engaged in a flirtatious relationship with Harvey. However, their relationship suffered a setback when Harvey prioritized his work at the firm over mourning the loss of his father.

4 Esther Litt

After resurfacing as one of the jury consultants selected for the memo case fraud, their paths converged once more, rekindling their romance. Harvey genuinely reveled in this fortuitous reunion, hoping it would prolong the narrative arc of Suits. Alas, Zoe's decision to relocate, driven by her ailing brother, ultimately terminated their relationship. Plagued by his own unresolved issues of abandonment, Harvey regretfully released her, all the while keeping his sentiments hidden from others.

Harvey and Louis' relationship in Suits was beyond complicated. Right from the start, a fierce rivalry emerged between them, resulting in countless betrayals throughout the show. Adding fuel to the fire, Jessica clearly favored Harvey over Louis and made no effort to hide it. But the situation took a dramatic turn when Louis' sister became romantically involved with Harvey, adding a whole new layer of complexity to their already tangled dynamic. In Season 5 of Suits, Louis' sister reached out to him for support during a nasty divorce, which ultimately led to her spending the night with Harvey.

Technically, Harvey and Esther did not have a genuine romantic relationship beyond a single night together. Despite Esther's pursuit of their attraction, Harvey firmly rejected her advances. He felt a strong sense of guilt for betraying Louis by sleeping with his sister and was also considerate of not taking advantage of a vulnerable woman who had recently gone through a divorce. Although their brief involvement, it greatly impacted Harvey and Louis' relationship, making it a significant storyline in Suits.

3 Paula Agard

Harvey's world unraveled in Suits season 7 when Donna's departure for Louis ignited his abandonment issues, plunging him into unpredictable panic attacks. Determined to cope in solitude, Harvey eventually succumbed to the overwhelming weight, leading him to seek solace in the presence of Dr. Paula Agard. What started as a purely professional relationship gradually evolved into an undeniable mutual attraction, as their sessions brought them closer together.

Admittedly, the pairing of Harvey and Paula was undoubtedly the most contentious relationship in Suits. Their romantic involvement was seen as highly improper, given the circumstances of their initial union. Ultimately, their bond reached its inevitable conclusion when Paula courageously confronted Harvey regarding his genuine emotions for Donna. The ultimatum she presented, asking him to make a choice between her and his secretary, ultimately marked the definitive end of their illicit entanglement.

2 Dana Scott

In its inaugural season, Suits focused on establishing the core cast, recognizing their pivotal role in this legal drama. Nevertheless, it also introduced recurring characters, such as Dana Scott, who instantly stood out despite not being affiliated with the Pearson, Hardman firm. Scotty's distinct connection with Harvey was a key factor, rooted in their shared history from Harvard Law School. While they had a professional rivalry, there was an undeniable personal attraction between them.

1 Donna Paulsen

Scotty was said to be Harvey's ultimate love interest in the TV series Suits, according to show creator Aaron Korsh. This assertion is quite plausible, considering the significant emphasis the show placed on their relationship in its earlier seasons. Moreover, it was truly captivating to witness Harvey being challenged professionally by someone who was his equal. Regrettably, their romantic connection ultimately unraveled due to a series of work conflicts exacerbated by Harvey's personal struggles.

Right from the beginning, it was evident that Harvey and Donna had the potential to become a couple. Despite Donna serving as his loyal secretary for a long time, their relationship was more like partners rather than boss and employee. Donna had the freedom to express herself and wasn't afraid to reprimand Harvey when necessary. Her unwavering loyalty was undeniable and had been proven on numerous occasions. Although Suits decided to bring Donna and Harvey together in season 8, their backstory had already established that they harbored romantic feelings towards each other, but they chose not to pursue them. This narrative choice also allowed for the characters to be involved with other people in the legal drama, until the moment when they finally realized their true connection and destiny to be together.

Suits could have easily paired them up earlier, resulting in more romantic scenes between them. However, the show's narrative prevented them from being together immediately. As previously mentioned, the creator intended for Harvey to end up with Scotty and for him to address his childhood trauma before realizing her importance. While it would have been preferable to see them date for a longer period, at least Suits concluded with them getting married.