Suits’ 17 Best Characters, Ranked

Summary

• Suits had a stellar 9-season run with captivating characters and compelling storylines.
• Gretchen, Sheila, Dana, Robert, Katrina, Samantha, Rachel, Jessica, Mike, Louis, & Harvey all shine.
• Each character’s evolution adds depth and intrigue to the legal drama’s fascinating narrative.

The best Suits characters helped make it an outstanding legal drama show. Suits began airing in 2011 on USA Network, where it continued to enjoy success for nine seasons before wrapping up in 2019. The series begins by focusing on two characters, Harvey Specter and Mike Ross, who both lead very different lives despite having a lot in common besides their jobs. When Mike decides he wants to experience a more luxurious life like those working in prestigious law firms, he cons his way into a job at Pearson Hardman Law.

While Harvey and Mike are pivotal early on in the series, the show also develops a large cast of colorful characters who are equally entertaining and talented. This is also helpful as the series progresses and characters like Mike Ross choose to depart the series. Most shows would struggle to keep going after such a pivotal character’s departure, but Suits was well-equipped to keep going, thanks to the spectacular cast.

17 Edward Darby

Played By Conleth Hill

Conleth Hill plays Edward Darby, the managing partner of Darby International who used to work at Pearson Darby Specter with Jessica Pearson. This was the firm that formed when Daniel Hardman had almost ruined Pearson Hardman, and Jessica had to accept a deal with Darby to save her firm. While Darby was the controlling partner, he mostly let Jessica run things her way for much of their time together.

However, things got rough in season 3, thanks to the Hassington Oil murder trial. This character addition was yet another case of Suits giving Jessica her own problems on the show, increasing her importance alongside Harvey and Mike. This case with Ava Hessington was a huge plot point in season 3, and Darby presented someone who showed a grey area of the law. At the same time, he allowed Jessica to take control of her firm once again.

16 Daniel Hardman

Played By David Costabile

Throughout season 1, Suits was mostly about Mike joining the firm without his law degree and hiding that fact from the firm’s managing partner, Jessica Pearson. However, the second season added a character that created a lot of tension for Jessica and almost threatened everyone in the firm. This addition was Daniel Hardman, the other name partner. Hardman was pushed out initially when Harvey and Jessica learned he was embezzling from clients.

However, he returns in the season 2 premiere, claiming he is a changed man, but then Hardman proceeds to show that he is as underhanded and immoral as Harvey describes him to be.

However, he returns in the season 2 premiere, claiming he is a changed man, but then Hardman proceeds to show that he is as underhanded and immoral as Harvey describes him to be. David Costabile played Daniel as an arrogant and vindictive person. He was a great villain throughout season 2 and a good way to bind Jessica to Mike, even after she learned the truth about his lies, making him more important than a typical antagonist.

15 Cameron Dennis

Played By Gary Cole

Before he joined NCIS and replaced Mark Harmon as the lead actor in that police procedural series, Gary Cole had an important role in Suits. Cole joined the series as a guest in season 1 before becoming a recurring character in season 3 as Cameron Dennis before returning in seasons 6 and 7. Dennis is a prosecutor and was one of Harvey’s mentors when Harvey worked as an Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan.

His first appearance shows his complicated relationship with Harvey. While Harvey didn’t want to testify against Cameron when the prosecutor was accused of burying evidence, Cameron was willing to sell out Harvey. Jessica saved Harvey, but when Cameron returned in season 3, his character was fleshed out more and became an essential part of the story. Cameron used his role as a prosecutor to help Mike while he was in prison, and he showed his true character, something lacking in earlier appearances.

14 Dr. Paula Agard

Played By Christina Cole

Dr. Paula Agard played an important role in Harvey’s development in later seasons. For the first part of Suits’ run, Harvey was mostly seen as an arrogant and brilliant attorney. He had all the confidence in the world and let anyone who asked know that he was always the best man for the job. However, he also had some problems he kept locked away and finally started seeing a therapist to work these out, which was Dr. Agard.

What made her such an important character was that Harvey romantically fell for her, and she fell for him as well. Fans never wanted this relationship because the end goals always seemed to be Harvey and Donna. However, what makes Paula so great is that she forces him to choose between her and Donna, and that actually pushes Harvey to the woman he was always meant to be with by the end.

13 Alex Williams

Played By Dulé Hill

When Gina Torres (Jessica Pearson) left Suits, the show wanted to bring in a big name to help fill the gap so they signed Dulé Hill, an actor with a strong TV following thanks to The West Wing and Psych. Hill joined in season 7 in a recurring role before becoming a main cast member in the last two seasons.

Alex Williams’ connection to the series is that he was an old friend of Harvey’s. After Harvey almost left the firm to join Alex at Bratton Gould, that firm punished Alex when Harvey changed his mind, causing the attorney to leave them to join up with Harvey.

Alex was not the best replacement for Jessica as he was mostly there to serve as Harvey’s friend, and he never really fit in with the rest of the firm at first. However, by the end of the series, he does come around and becomes part of the “family,” even helping to save Donna. One problem with Alex was Hill’s seemingly wooden acting, but that was more a part of the character’s uncomfortable transition than the actor’s skills.

12 Gretchen Bodinski

Played By Aloma Wright

Gretchen Bodinski was a fairly late arrival in the series, joining the team in the second episode of the fifth season. Gretchen was a skilled executive assistant who stepped in to take Donna Paulsen’s place after she chose to start working for Louis Litt and leave Harvey’s desk. While Donna was a huge presence to fill in for, and incredibly skilled at her work, Gretchen was a highly capable replacement who had just as much of a backbone and a genuine skill for tackling any role Harvey required.

Gretchen Bodinski also appeared in the 2020’s
Young Dylan
as Viola.

Gretchen is slightly older than Donna, but that doesn’t impact her ability to coordinate, schedule, and keep pace with the high-powered executives at the firm. When Donna chooses to return to work for Harvey, Gretchen switches to work for Louis, with whom she builds a close friendship and trust. Gretchen also assumes a much more significant role in later seasons after Mike and Rachel leave for Seattle.

11 Sheila Sazs

Played By Rachel Harris

Sheila Sazs is initially introduced as an admissions officer at Harvard University, with whom Louis builds a close relationship. The pair quickly become romantic, and they engage in a rocky rollercoaster romance between season 5 and season 9. Ultimately, the pair fall deeply in love and get married, with a child, Lucy Litt, by the series’ end.

One of the best parts of
Suits
is the representation of powerful women

Sheila is feisty, quick-witted, intelligent, and strong-willed. In her relationship with Louis, she frequently takes the lead over her partner and proves that she can thrive independently, but chooses to build a life and relationship with Louis. One of the best parts of Suits is the representation of powerful women who are not susceptible to being controlled or manipulated by men, and Sheila is no exception. Her influence and authority make her an essential part of the series, and a joy to watch.

10 Dana Scott

Played By Abigail Spencer

Dana Scott is introduced early in Suits season 1, as a strong legal rival, and a former romantic partner of Harvey’s. Harvey and Dana had met at Law School, where Dana finished top of her year, and Harvey, who was studying at the same time, finished fifth. Her legal prowess, intelligence and ability to turn around a case and get her own way are incredibly impressive, and create issues for Harvey early on.

However, Dana’s greatest weakness is her affection for Harvey, which she could occasionally use to her advantage, but it did result in her losing her job. However, Harvey and Dana clearly have a respect for one another, and despite their bickering, Dana is able to rise through the ranks at Harvey’s firm, before moving on and becoming a named partner at a different firm. Dana may be an antagonist to Harvey early on in Suits, but nothing is black and white in the series, and she is thoroughly engaging and likable in every appearance.

9 Robert Zane

Played By Wendell Pierce

Robert Zane is a self-made man, who fought tooth and nail to climb the ladder of industry and become a giant in the New York legal landscape. He is initially introduced as a name partner at a competing firm to Pearson Hardman, but also has a close personal connection to the firm, with his daughter Rachel Zane being employed there.

Over the course of the show, his rivalry with Harvey, and his disapproval of his son-in-law, Mike Ross, softened and by season 8, he had become a name partner at the firm which was now led by Harvey and Louis.

Despite Rachel Zane leaving the show in season 7, Robert continued to have a prominent role in the series, and even continued to play a fatherly role to his new protégé, Samantha Wheeler. Zane had a difficult journey in season 8, but he became one of the most likable and well-respected characters as he sacrificed his position, and his career, to save Harvey. Zane is a moral man, with a clear code of conduct, and even in lying to protect someone else, his actions serve to help him further redeem himself for past mistakes.

8 Katrina Bennett

Played By Amanda Schull

Katrina Bennett is a pivotal character who first appeared in Suits season 2, and returned frequently in the following seasons until becoming a primary cast member in season 9. Like Harvey, Katrina began her career working at the District Attorney’s office, and she also wished to make the leap to join Pearson Hardman and climb the ladder of corporate law. She is ambitious, determined, and resourceful in achieving her goals, and willing to push others out of her way to do it.

When she first appears, she is largely selfish and ruthless in her approach to getting what she wants. She undercuts and betrays those around her, and quickly makes enemies of people who could have been her allies. Fortunately, after a few negative run-ins with colleagues, Katrina learns the value of teamwork and forming positive relationships. In later seasons, she is an invaluable member of the team at the firm, and a name partner along with Louis Litt.

7 Samantha Wheeler

Played By Katherine Heigl

Samantha Wheeler is another character whose role in the early series was increased towards the end. Initially, Samantha was the right-hand woman of Robert Zane, while both were working at Rand, Kaldor, & Zane. Samantha is highly intelligent, a skilled researcher, and ambitious. While working at RKZ, she was approached by the FBI to help with an investigation into the previous managing partners. Through her research and clever plans, she was able to oust the former name partners and position Zane and his most trusted colleagues to take over the firm.

This skill and ability to precisely manipulate and navigate complex situations to her will make her an invaluable asset later in the firm managed by Specter and Litt. She also manages to climb the ranks and become a name partner at the firm in the final season. And, in the absence of Rachel Zane, Samantha finds herself in a father-daughter dynamic with Robert Zane, thanks to their history together.

6 Rachel Zane

Played By Meghan Markle

Despite Rachel Zane leaving Suits in season 7, her character had an incredible impact on the early seasons of the show, and she was a significant part of what made the series popular. The ambitious daughter of Robert Zane who set out to make a name for herself and avoid being given handouts thanks to her father’s name and position, Zane is easily one of the most ambitious and clever people in the entire show.

However, the thing that sets her apart from most, is her strict and rigid observance of laws and procedures. While many of the other characters are willing to take whatever shortcut they can get, Rachel willingly walks a tougher path in order to earn her way and know that she is worthy of it. While she is perhaps the most morally sound character, the man she falls deeply in love with is one of the most questionable, Mike Ross. This makes sense in the context of opposites attracting one another, but it certainly doesn’t give her an easier path.

5 Jessica Pearson

Played By Gina Torres

Jessica Pearson is one of the most important characters in the early seasons of Suits, where she is a name partner at the firm, and eventually has a hostile takeover from her embezzling partner, Daniel Hardman. Jessica started her career as an ambitious young woman, and she was able to wrestle power into her own hands and take control of the firm where she got her start. However, law wasn’t necessarily her ambition.

After years of working with people like Harvey, Louis, and Mike, Jessica became weary of working in the legal world and chose to leave it behind to take up a position working with the Mayor of Chicago. Pearson even got her own self-titled spin-off, although the show was canceled after season 1. Despite this, Pearson remained a strong and independent character who is capable of navigating complex issues with diplomacy and a cool head.

4 Mike Ross

Played By Patrick J. Adams

Mike Ross began his stint on Suits as a brilliant, but unrefined young man who was skating through life. However, he found a way to utilize his talents and make a good life for himself. Initially, his new career is built on a less than lawful foundation, but after serving time, and proving his worth time and time again, he is eventually able to live the life of his dreams.

Having found and formed a romantic relationship with Rachel Zane along the way, Mike also left when Rachel did, but he was a core part of the show’s DNA up to that point. Gifted with a photographic memory, Mike was able to absorb information at a rapid pace and recall it at will in precise detail. Despite his mentorship by Harvey Specter, Mike was also confident enough to stand up to his boss when he felt things were off, which helped make his and Harvey’s dynamic so perfect.

3 Louis Litt

Played By Rick Hoffman

While Mike was Harvey’s best friend at the firm, Harvey’s biggest rival had to be Louis Litt. Louis is a unique character, full of quirks and self-doubt that often resulted in him acting irregularly, or unkindly to some of his associates in the office. However, Louis is also a skilled lawyer, and there is no one as dedicated and hard-working as he is in the show.

Louis often feels pressure around not being more popular or universally liked, although he struggles to understand that simply working harder and longer than everyone else is not what makes a person likable, or even the best candidate for a promotion. Eventually, Louis did begin to soften up and recognize his own weaknesses and the value that people like Harvey bring to the table. This growth and ability to recognize his flaws, ultimately makes him a better leader and friend.

2 Donna Paulsen

Played By Sarah Rafferty

Donna proves that as she climbs the career ladder herself, eventually securing a position as the Chief Operating Officer

Donna Paulsen may only hold the title of executive assistant at the start of the series, but if anyone proves how invaluable they are, and how to go above and beyond their duties, it’s her. Donna had an ongoing relationship with Harvey Specter for almost all of their professional lives, but despite the intense connection between them, they keep things strictly professional in order to work better. With so much experience and familiarity, Donna was often able to predict Harvey’s needs and responses, and thus, she served as the perfect assistant.

But, anyone who saw Donna as simply an assistant would be sorely mistaken, and Donna proved that as she climbs the career ladder herself, eventually securing a position as the Chief Operating Officer at the firm. Donna is capable of doing anything she sets her mind to, and she frequently helped the high-level executives to figure out exactly what it is they want, and how to get it. A lesson that she in turn takes heed of when she marries the love of her life, Harvey Specter, and chooses to put her work behind her.

1 Harvey Specter

Played By Gabriel Macht

Suits’ lead character, Harvey Specter, is one of the most complex, entertaining, and fun characters on TV. In Suits, Harvey is a lawyer who plays hard and fast with the rules, often skirting around, or entirely ignoring things that could stand in his way. However, despite his less-than-legal actions, Harvey somehow always lands on his feet. The character can become frustrating due to his ability to avoid consequences, but he also has a charm and sly smile that make him endless fun to watch.

Throughout Suits, Harvey learns and grows from mistakes, but he also keeps pushing his agendas in order to get to the point that he feels he is deserving of. However, just like Donna, Harvey eventually reached a point of success where there is no more room to move up, and instead chooses to pursue a more stable and steady life with Donna as his bride, and joins his best friend, Mike Ross, in Seattle, using his skills to do some good, rather than just earning a big check.