The third season of Suits raised the stakes for everyone at the newly merged law firm. The original six main actors had returned, joined by powerful new guest stars. The season aired from July 16, 2013, to April 10, 2014, on the USA Network, and consisted of sixteen episodes. Here is the full list of actors who brought the intense legal drama and personal conflicts to life during this key season.
The Core Six: The Original Cast of Suits Season 3
Six actors received star billing throughout the entire third season of Suits, each portraying a key employee at the law firm, which changed names from Pearson Darby to Pearson Darby Specter and finally Pearson Specter.
Gabriel Macht played Harvey Specter, the brilliant and confident senior partner. Harvey started the season navigating a new partnership with British lawyer Edward Darby while secretly planning a major power play against Jessica. His character is known for his sharp wit, high-stakes strategies, and complex loyalty to Mike and Donna.
Patrick J. Adams returned as Mike Ross, the gifted associate with a photographic memory and a life-changing secret. Season 3 tested Mike’s relationship with Harvey after his secret was revealed to Rachel Zane at the end of Season 2. He also had to balance his deepening romance with Rachel against the constant fear of his fake credentials being exposed.
Rick Hoffman played Louis Litt, the firm’s sharp and often emotionally volatile financial expert. Louis spent much of the season trying to prove his worth and gain respect, first from the new British partners and later from Jessica. His rivalry with Nigel Nesbitt, Darby’s head of associates, was a major source of both conflict and humor.
Meghan Markle portrayed Rachel Zane, the ambitious paralegal with dreams of becoming a lawyer. After learning Mike’s secret, Rachel’s storyline focused on their growing relationship and her own struggles, including applying to law schools like Stanford. Her character provided a moral and emotional anchor for Mike.
Sarah Rafferty played Donna Paulsen, Harvey’s exceptionally sharp and fiercely loyal legal secretary. Donna’s role expanded in Season 3 as she became entangled in a romantic relationship with Stephen Huntley, Darby’s right-hand man, creating tension with Harvey.
Gina Torres starred as Jessica Pearson, the firm’s formidable managing partner. Jessica’s leadership was directly challenged by the merger with Darby’s firm. She spent the season fighting to maintain control, clashing with both Harvey and her new British partner over the firm’s direction and major cases.
The series revolves around corporate lawyer Harvey Specter and his associate attorney Mike Ross, the latter practicing without a law degree.
Major Recurring Guest Stars and Characters
Beyond the main six, several recurring actors played pivotal roles in the season’s major story arcs.
Michelle Fairley, known for her role as Catelyn Stark in Game of Thrones, joined the cast as Dr. Ava Hessington. She was a high-profile British oil executive and a client from Darby’s past who became the focus of a complex murder and bribery case that spanned the first half of the season. Her character’s trial created a battleground for Harvey, Jessica, and Darby.
Max Beesley was introduced as Stephen Huntley, Edward Darby’s aggressive “fixer” from the London office. Often called the “British Harvey,” Huntley worked on the Hessington Oil case and became romantically involved with Donna Paulsen, which complicated office dynamics.
Gary Cole reprised his role as Cameron Dennis, Harvey’s corrupt former mentor from the District Attorney’s office. Now a special prosecutor, Dennis relentlessly pursued Ava Hessington, using his personal history with Harvey to wage a bitter legal war.
Conleth Hill played Edward Darby, the charismatic British lawyer who merged his firm with Jessica Pearson’s. His arrival and his control over the Hessington case were central to the season’s power struggles.
Other notable returning faces included Wendell Pierce as Robert Zane, Rachel’s father and a named partner at a rival firm, and Adam Godley as Nigel Nesbitt, the head of associates from the London office who constantly clashed with Louis Litt.
Key Season 3 Story Arcs and Cast Appearances
The third season was split into two main parts, each driven by its own major case and character conflicts.
The first half of the season, comprising the initial eight episodes, was dominated by the Ava Hessington case. This arc brought the new guest stars to the forefront. Harvey and Mike fought to defend Ava against murder charges brought by Cameron Dennis, while Louis worked to protect her company from a hostile takeover. This storyline tested alliances, especially between Harvey, Jessica, and their new partner Edward Darby, and culminated in a tense trial.
The second half of the season shifted focus after the merger dissolved. Episodes dealt with the fallout and introduced new professional and personal challenges. A notable episode was “The Other Time,” which provided flashbacks to Harvey’s early career at the District Attorney’s office and Mike’s college days, explaining the origins of their personal demons.
Throughout the season, the core relationship between Mike and Rachel developed significantly, moving from secret-keeping to a committed relationship, even as they faced external pressures like law school applications and family scrutiny.
Where the Main Cast Is Now
Since Suits ended in 2019, the careers of its main cast members have evolved.
Meghan Markle, now the Duchess of Sussex, left the show before its final seasons. She has since focused on philanthropic work and media production with her husband, Prince Harry.
Patrick J. Adams starred in the miniseries The Right Stuff and has performed on Broadway. He also appears in the original movie The Swearing Jar.
Gabriel Macht has largely stepped back from acting since Suits ended, with his most recent credit being the spinoff Pearson. He maintains an active presence on social media.
Sarah Rafferty has taken guest roles on shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Chicago Med.
Rick Hoffman appeared on the series Billions and the spinoff Pearson. He remains active in film and television.
Gina Torres leads the cast of 9-1-1: Lone Star as Tommy Vega. She also had a starring role in the short-lived Suits spinoff centered on her character, Jessica Pearson.
Also Read: Andy Muschietti Confirms IT: Welcome to Derry Fog is Not Linked to The Mist
