Just one day after USA Network announced Suits was renewed for season eight, the network disclosed Katherine Heigl (Grey’s Anatomy) has joined the cast in a series regular role. According to the official announcement, Katherine Heigl will be playing Samantha Wheeler, a character described as the “talented new partner at Pearson Specter Litt who challenges the status quo and will either become the firm’s greatest ally … or most powerful enemy.”
Heigl joins the series as Patrick J Adams and Meghan Markle are saying goodbye to Suits after seven years. The season eight cast will include Gabriel Macht (Harvey Specter), Sarah Rafferty (Donna Paulsen), Rick Hoffman (Louis Litt, and Dulé Hill (Alex Williams). Hill was just upped to series regular status.
Filming’s expected to begin on season eight in April 2018 and it will air later this year.
“Joining Suits was the perfect organic way to not only collaborate with an EP I admire deeply, but to also become part of a show and cast that I am an immense fan of,” stated Katherine Heigl. “I have watched Suits from the very beginning and feel incredibly lucky to be the newest member of the Pearson Specter Litt family.”
“On behalf of the entire Suits team, I am extraordinarily excited to welcome Katherine Heigl into our family – I have always been a big fan of her work and was delighted to discover she was an avid Suits fan herself,” said Aaron Korsh, creator and executive producer of Suits. “I cannot wait to have her come play with our entire cast and crew. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Harvey, Louis, Donna and Alex as the mysterious Samantha Wheeler is a direct threat to their status quo. One thing is for sure – Samantha’s wit, charm, loyalty, strength and vulnerability will all be put to the test as she muscles her way into the firm currently known as Pearson Specter Litt.”
In addition to Aaron Korsh, season eight executive producers include Doug Liman, David Bartis, Gene Klein, Genevieve Sparling, Ethan Drogin and Christopher Misiano.
The series returns for the second half of season seven on March 28, 2018 at 9pm ET/PT.
The Plot: Suits began when legendary hotshot lawyer Harvey Specter took a gamble by hiring Mike Ross, a brilliant, but not-so-legitimate college dropout, as an associate at his prolific Manhattan law firm. Nearly seven seasons later, this dynamic duo along with Louis, Donna and Rachel have become a family intertwined in one another’s triumphs and tribulations.
When the back half of Season 7 returns, Harvey must deal with the aftermath of Jessica (Gina Torres) losing her license, while trying to process how the kiss with Donna will affect his relationship with Paula (Christina Cole). Mike tries to juggle his commitment to the firm, his passion for pro bono work, and his engagement to Rachel. All the while, Louis struggles with right and wrong as his torrid affair with Sheila (Rachael Harris) deepens.
 has joined the cast of Suits for the show's upcoming 8th season.){kind=link}