The Surprising Actress Who Nearly Became Rachel Zane in Suits Before Meghan Markle

Summary

Meghan Markle played Rachel Zane in Suits for seven seasons before leaving due to her relationship with Prince Harry.

Jenna Coleman initially auditioned for the character Rachel Zane but was ultimately not chosen, as the role went to Meghan Markle. However, Coleman went on to establish a remarkable career, starring in notable productions such as Doctor Who and Victoria.

Speculation surrounding Jenna Coleman's potential romantic involvement with Prince Harry adds an interesting element considering she came close to portraying the same role as Meghan Markle in Suits. Both actresses have now achieved significant success in their respective careers.

Meghan Markle's portrayal of Rachel Zane in Suits has become so iconic that it's hard to imagine anyone else in the role. However, another famous actress was nearly cast as the series regular. Markle played Rachel for seven seasons before leaving the show due to her relationship with Prince Harry and her new responsibilities as a member of the British royal family.

Rachel's character arc in Suits was impressive. She started as a paralegal in season 1 and her connection with Mike Ross grew throughout the series, despite her initial reluctance to date him. Rachel's career flourished as she passed the LSAT, attended Columbia Law School, passed the bar exam, and ultimately became a licensed lawyer. By the end of the show, Rachel and Mike were married and had relocated to Seattle, where they enthusiastically embarked on a new venture, running a victim-oriented legal firm. However, if a different actress had been chosen for the role, Rachel's journey could have taken an entirely different direction.

Jenna Coleman Auditioned For Rachel Zane In Suits

Jenna Coleman originally auditioned for the role of Rachel Zane when the Suits producers were casting the characters. However, she was passed over for the part, and Meghan Markle won the role instead. Fortunately, everything fell into place, as Markle excelled as Rachel, while Coleman went on to build an impressive career. Following her audition for Suits, Coleman was chosen to play Clara Oswald in Doctor Who, a character she first portrayed in the British series in 2012. Besides her role in Doctor Who, the actress has also appeared in Victoria, The Serpent, Me Before You, and The Sandman. Furthermore, Coleman is scheduled to star in Wilderness in 2023.

A Jenna Coleman Dating Rumor Makes Her Suits Audition Even More Interesting

It's amusing to note that Jenna Coleman was almost cast as Rachel Zane in Suits, a role that eventually went to Meghan Markle. This is particularly ironic considering rumors of a romantic connection between Coleman and Prince Harry. As Vanity Fair reports, the two shared a close friendship in 2015, a year prior to his meeting with Markle. While there were speculations about their relationship potentially turning into something more, they never officially dated. Ultimately, Coleman missed out on the role of Rachel, while Markle succeeded, but both actresses continue to thrive in their respective careers.

Source: Vanity Fair