Katherine Heigl will join the cast of USA’s “Suits” for the legal drama’s eighth season, the network announced on Wednesday.
The “Grey’s Anatomy” alum will play Samantha Wheeler, described as “a talented new partner at Pearson Specter Litt who challenges the status quo and will either become the firm’s greatest ally … or most powerful enemy.”
“Joining ‘Suits’ was the perfect organic way to not only collaborate with an EP I admire deeply, but to also become part of a show and cast that I am an immense fan of,” said Katherine Heigl in a statement. “I have watched ‘Suits’ from the very beginning and feel incredibly lucky to be the newest member of the Pearson Specter Litt family.”
Heigl steps in for outgoing stars Patrick J. Adams and Meghan Markle, who will not be returning for the new season following Markle’s engagement to Britain’s Prince Harry. She joins stars Gabriel Macht, Sarah Rafferty, Rick Hoffman and Dulé Hill, who has been upped to series regular.
“On behalf of the entire ‘Suits’ team, I am extraordinarily excited to welcome Katherine Heigl into our family – I have always been a big fan of her work and was delighted to discover she was an avid ‘Suits’ fan herself,” said series creator Aaron Korsh. “I cannot wait to have her come play with our entire cast and crew. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Harvey, Louis, Donna and Alex as the mysterious Samantha Wheeler is a direct threat to their status quo. One thing is for sure – Samantha’s wit, charm, loyalty, strength and vulnerability will all be put to the test as she muscles her way into the firm currently known as Pearson Specter Litt.”
Heigl most recently starred in the CBS legal drama “Doubt,” alongside Hill, Laverne Cox and Dreama Walker.
“Suits” will return for the second half of Season 7 on Wednesday, March 28 at 9/8c.