The potential for a "Suits" reunion happening without Meghan Markle due to alleged demands she made, with Jean Klein effectively shutting down the possibility.
As many of you know, Meghan Markle rose to fame playing Rachel Zane on the popular USA Network drama "Suits," which ran for seven seasons from 2011 to 2018. The show was instrumental in launching her acting career and remained a significant part of her life for many years. Naturally, fans have been eager to see a potential reunion bringing the original cast back together now that the series has ended.
USA Network and the show's producers have been in talks about doing a 10-year anniversary special to celebrate the beloved series. However, negotiations with Meghan Markle have reportedly hit a snag. Recent reports claim that she demanded a $5 million appearance fee to participate. This substantial sum, even for a major television network, was not her only request. Sources indicate she also wanted full creative control over her character and storyline. Considering the special would presumably focus on where the characters are a decade later, giving one actor complete control could disrupt the creative vision and integrity of the reunion. Consequently, producers were unwilling to agree to such terms.
Jean Klein, who served as co-CEO of NBCUniversal until last year, has publicly stated that a "Suits" reunion without Meghan Markle is very possible. In an interview, Klein addressed Meghan's alleged demands, saying, "We are not paying $5 million to get anybody to show up." He noted that while a reunion show would ideally include as much of the original cast as possible, the producers have no problem moving forward without actors who are being challenging. Klein's comments have fueled speculation that the producers might completely shut down negotiations with Meghan and proceed with a special that continues Rachel Zane's storyline without her character's involvement.
Of course, any return to the show would feel incomplete without one of its main characters. However, it seems clear that the creative team and networks won't be held hostage by unreasonable financial demands. Some industry insiders are suggesting alternative ways for a "Suits" anniversary special to work around Meghan's potential absence. One idea proposed is having Rachel working abroad or out of the country on an extended business trip, allowing other characters to discuss her without needing her physical presence. Flashbacks or video call appearances might also be incorporated in a limited way, but overall the focus would shift to the remaining New York-based cast members reuniting.
It's also noteworthy that this isn't the first time Meghan has allegedly made substantial financial demands related to her "Suits" character. In 2018, right before her wedding to Prince Harry, there were rumors that she wanted $40,000 to $50,000 per episode for the final season, a significant increase from her previous $50,000 per episode paycheck. Reports claimed USA Network refused such a sizable increase. Now, it seems history may be repeating itself concerning a potential reunion. Meghan and her representatives have yet to publicly comment on these financial figures or the negotiations.
For her part, Meghan has stated she is unsure about returning to acting given her royal obligations in the UK. This might mean she truly is unavailable rather than making unreasonable demands. However, Jean Klein's strong words suggest that her participation on such high salary or creative control terms is off the table. At the end of the day, fans just want to see the "Suits" cast back together again to reminisce about favorite scenes and storylines. Klein understands this too, noting that they could proceed with special cameos from available actors and make it work seamlessly without one person holding it back.
While it may disappoint Meghan's fans, the producers seem ready to push forward with revisiting the "Suits" legacy even if she remains uninvolved. Only time will tell how the 10th-anniversary celebration of the iconic USA drama will shape up.
