13 "Suits" Actor Side-By-Sides That Show The Cast In Their First Big Role, On The Show, And Now

Sarah Rafferty and Gabriel Macht, who starred on Suits as Donna and Harvey, have been friends since 1993.

Now that Suits is the surprise, throwback streaming hit of 2023, here's what the cast looked like in their first big acting role, during their time on the show, AND what they look like now.

1. Gabriel Macht's first role in 1980:

Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Gabriel's first ever acting role was when he starred in Why Would I Lie? opposite Treat Williams and Lisa Eichhorn. He then went on to appear in movies and shows like Beverly Hills, 90210, Sex and the City, and The Spirit.

Gabriel Macht as Harvey Specter on Suits:

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Gabriel Macht now:

Gabriel Macht / Instagram / Via instagram.com

Since Suits ended in 2019, Gabriel has taken a break from acting. In July, after Suits broke a streaming record with 3.4 billion minutes watched in its first week between Netflix and Peacock, Gabriel penned a note on Instagram in support of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes.

2. Patrick J. Adams's first role in 2003:

Dreamworks Pictures / Via youtu.be

After appearing in a short film, Patrick's first big role was in the movie Old School alongside Vince Vaughn, Will Ferrell, and Luke Wilson. Then, he went on to appear in numerous TV shows like Friday Night Lights, Lost, and Pretty Little Liars.

Patrick J. Adams as Mike Ross in Suits:

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Patrick J. Adams now:

Patrick J Adams / Instagram / Via instagram.com

Patrick has been married to Troian Bellisario since 2016, and the duo have been together since 2009. After Suits wrapped, Patrick appeared in shows like Legends of Tomorrow, The Right Stuff, and A League of Their Own. He also appeared on Broadway in the play Take Me Out.

3. Sarah Rafferty's first role in 1999:

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After appearing in a small TV movie, Sarah's first notable role was when she appeared in an episode of Law & Order. After her first role, Sarah went on to appear in countless TV shows like Six Feet Under, 8 Simple Rules, Samantha Who?, Brothers & Sisters, Bones, and more.

Sarah Rafferty as Donna Paulsen in Suits:

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Sarah notably heard about the role of Donna on Suits when her friend, Gabriel Macht, whom she's known since 1993, sent her the script.

Sarah Rafferty now:

Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images / Via instagram.com

After Suits, Sarah landed recurring roles on both Grey's Anatomy and Chicago Med. Recently, she reunited with her Suits costar Gina Torres on the picket line during the current SAG-AFTRA strike.

4. Rick Hoffman's first notable role in 1998:

Warner Bros

After appearing in a few small TV roles, Rick's first big onscreen moment was when he appeared in Lethal Weapon 4. Then, he went on to play roles in Monk, Jake in Progress, Chuck, Samantha Who?, Law & Order: SVU, and more prior to landing his breakout role in Suits.

Rick Hoffman as Louis Litt in Suits:

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Rick Hoffman now:

Rick Hoffman / Instagram / Via instagram.com

Since Suits ended, Rick notably appeared as Dr. Swerdlow in Billions.

5. Meghan Markle's first role in 1995:

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Meghan's first TV role was an uncredited part on an episode of Married...with Children during Season 9. Then, she went on to appear in numerous TV shows. Notably, she was one of the suitcase holders on Deal or No Deal for 34 episodes. She also starred in Remember Me alongside Robert Pattinson in 2010.

Meghan Markle as Rachel Zane in Suits:

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Meghan Markle now:

Kevin Mazur / Getty Images Ms. Foundation for Women

Meghan departed Suits after Season 7 following her engagement and wedding to Prince Harry. Her Suits costars Gabriel Macht, Sarah Rafferty, Patrick J. Adams, Troian Bellisario, Rick Hoffman, and Abigail Spencer all attended the Royal Wedding in 2018.

6. Gina Torres' first major role in 1995:

ABC / Via youtu.be

After appearing in an episode of Law & Order, Gina's first big role was when she appeared in 17 episodes of One Life to Live. Then, she went on to star in shows like Alias and Hercules: the Legendary Journeys before landing her breakout roles as Zoe Washburne in Firefly in 2002 and as Cas in The Matrix Reloaded in 2003.

Gina Torres as Jessica Pearson in Suits:

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Gina also starred in the Suits spinoff series, Pearson.

Gina Torres now:

Jason Koerner / Getty Images for Netflix

While starring on Suits, Gina also appeared in shows like Hannibal, Revenge, and Westworld. Since the series ended, she's notably starred on 9-1-1: Lone Star as Tommy Vega. Also, she recently reunited with her Suits costar D.B. Woodside in the Netflix movie The Perfect Find.

7. Katherine Heigl's first role in 1992:

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Katherine's first role was in That Night in 1992. Both she and Eliza Dushku made their film debut in the movie. Then, Katherine went on to star in Roswell in 1999 as Isabel Evans. Of course, she later earned widespread recognition for her work in Grey's Anatomy, Knocked Up, 27 Dresses, and more. 

Katherine Heigl as Samantha Wheeler in Suits:

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Katherine Heigl now:

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Following Suits, Katherine starred on Netflix's Firefly Lane alongside Sarah Chalke. She also served as an executive producer for the series, which aired its final season this year.

8. Wendell Pierce's first role in 1986:

Universal Pictures

Wendell's first-ever acting credit was as a paramedic in The Money Pit opposite Tom Hanks. Then, he went on to appear in movies and shows like Malcolm X, Moloney, The Equalizer, Waiting to Exhale, and more before landing his breakout role as Det. Bunk Moreland in The Wire.

Wendell Pierce as Robert Zane in Suits:

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Wendell Pierce now:

Nathan Congleton / NBC / Getty Images

After Suits wrapped, Wendell starred in shows like The Odd Couple, Chicago P.D., Jack Ryan, The Watch, Eureka!, and more. Recently, he received critical acclaim for playing Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman both on the West End and on Broadway.

9. Amanda Schull's first role in 2000:

Sony Pictures Releasing

Amanda's first movie role was in Center Stage as Jody Sawyer. She was cast in the role while still an apprentice with the San Francisco Ballet. Then, she went on to appear in numerous TV shows, like One Tree Hill, Bones, Pretty Little Liars, and more.

Amanda Schull as Katrina Bennett in Suits:

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Amanda Schull now:

Michael Tullberg / Getty Images

While also starring on Suits, Amanda starred as Dr. Cassandra Railly in 12 Monkeys from 2015 to 2018. Recently, she appeared in several Hallmark TV movies, and she recently had a recurring role on 9-1-1: Lone Star alongside her Suits costar Gina Torres.

10. Rachael Harris's first role in 1993:

NBC

Rachael's first acting credit was in the sci-fi series SeaQuest DSV in 1993, where she played a crew member. She went on to star in so many TV shows throughout her career, like Sister, Sister, Reno 911!, New Girl, Surviving Jack, and more. Rachael is also an accomplished voice actor who has lent her voice to projects like Wreck-It Ralph, BoJack Horseman, and more.

Rachael Harris as Sheila Sazs in Suits:

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Rachael Harris now:

Getty Images / FilmMagic for HBO

While starring on Suits, Rachael notably starred as Dr. Linda Martin on Lucifer from 2016 to 2021. Recently, she's appeared on shows like Ghosts and will star in the upcoming TV series, Goosebumps.

11. D.B. Woodside's first role in 1996:

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D.B.'s first starring role was in the legal TV drama, Murder One, which also starred Stanley Tucci. He appeared in numerous episodes and the spinoff series as Aaron Mosely. D.B. went on to star in other shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, 24, Grey's Anatomy, Hellcats, Monk, and more.

D.B. Woodside as Jeff Malone in Suits:

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D.B. also starred opposite Gina Torres in the Suits spinoff series, Pearson.

D.B. Woodside now:

Jason Mendez / Getty Images for Tribeca Festival

While also appearing on Suits, D.B. notably starred as Amenadiel in Lucifer alongside his fellow Suits costar, Rachael Harris. In 2023, he also starred on 9-1-1: Lone Star, reuniting with Gina Torres, and Netflix's The Night Agent. Recently, D.B. called attention to the fact that he has starred in Lucifer, Night Agent, and Suits, aka three of Netflix's biggest successes, and wrote, "I think I deserve the opportunity to lead my own show." (And I agree).

12. Dulé Hill's first notable role in 1995:

ABC / Via youtu.be

At the beginning of his career, Dulé appeared in numerous TV episodes, with one of his biggest being on an episode of All My Children in 1995. He then went on to appear in She's All That before landing his two breakout roles in The West Wing as Charlie Young and as Sam in Holes. In 2006, he began starring as Gus in Psych.

Dulé Hill as Alex Williams in Suits:

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Dulé Hill now:

Alberto Rodriguez / The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images

After Suits finished, Dulé has gone on to appear in shows like This Is Us and star on the reboot of The Wonder Years. He's also continued to play Gus in two more Psych movies.

13. And finally, Abigail Spencer's first role in 1999:

ABC / Via youtu.be

Abigail began her career playing Becca on All My Children from 1999 to 2001. Then, she went on to appear in shows like Gilmore Girls, Angela's Eyes, How I Met Your Mother, Mad Men, and more.

Abigail Spencer as Dana Scott in Suits:

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Abigail Spencer now:

Clayton Hawkins / Abigail Spencer / Instagram / Via instagram.com

While appearing on Suits, Abigail notably starred on shows like Rectify, Timeless, and True Detective. Recently, she played Megan Hunt on Grey's Anatomy and starred in the Hulu series Reprisal. She's also remained good friends with Meghan Markle and even appeared in the docuseries Harry & Meghan.

Suits is currently streaming on Netflix and Peacock.