Suits’ 12 Best Characters, Ranked

Suits is an outstanding legal drama show that is full of rich and entertaining characters that make the series what it is. Suits began airing in 2011 on USA Network, where it continued to enjoy success for 9 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 several traits in common. When Mike Ross 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.

He is mentored by Harvey Specter, who is aware of Ross’ deceit and chooses to take him on as his protégé anyway. While Specter and Ross 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.

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 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.

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 has become a name partner at the firm which is now led by Harvey and Louis.

Despite Rachel Zane leaving the show in season 7, Robert continues to have a prominent role in the series, and even continues to play a fatherly role to his new protégé, Samantha Wheeler. Zane has a difficult journey in season 8, but he becomes one of the most likable and well respected characters as he sacrifices his position, and his career, in order 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 team work 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 remains 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 does 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 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 has 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 is often able to predict Harvey’s needs and responses, and thus, she serves as the perfect assistant.

But, anyone who saw Donna as simply an assistant would be sorely mistaken, and Donna proves 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 helps 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 reaches 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.