Emotional reason Patrick J Adams left role as Mike Ross in hit series Suits

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WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Suits. 

Suits wouldn’t have been the same without Mike Ross so his absence was felt following his departure in the season seven finale.

College dropout Mike Ross (played by Patrick J Adams) had a lot to prove when he went to law firm Pearson Hardman for a job, determined to become fully qualified and work his way up the corporate ladder.

What he didn’t expect when he joined the company, however, was to meet the woman of his dreams in colleague Rachel Zane (Meghan Markle).

So it was truly bittersweet when it was announced both Mike and Rachel would be leaving to start their own firm but not before they tied the knot in the season seven finale.

Why did Patrick J Adams leave as Mike Ross in Suits?

Suits star Patrick J Adams has opened up on his exit as Mike Ross (Image: NETFLIX)

There are often times when major characters are written out of dramas and so forced to leave not on their own accord but this wasn’t the case for Suits original star Patrick J Adams.

In fact, the 42-year-old had been thinking about making his departure for a whole series before leaving as Mike because of creative reasons.

Opening up to The Hollywood Reporter, Adams explained: “I started thinking about leaving at the end of the first half of season six, after Mike was released from prison. From a story point of view, I was a little unsure of what was left for him to do.

“Mike had made the pledge during his trial that if he were allowed to continue to practice the law, he would dedicate his time and energy to underrepresented people and not big, corporate interests. I wasn’t sure how we were going to work that version of the character into the fabric of the show.”

Suits' Mike Ross was played by actor Patrick J Adams. (Image: GETTY)

He went on to explain how he knew his time was up on the show midway through series seven as while his co-stars were renegotiating their contracts for more seasons, Adams wasn’t as eager to.

He continued: “I thought we’d come so far and now Mike is going to work to be a lawyer and he’s engaged to the woman of his dreams and he’s got the means and opportunity to do whatever he can imagine.

“I had this voice in my head that said that we’ve told his story and if he hangs out longer, Mike is just going to be another lawyer on television. That didn’t feel right for him.

“It didn’t feel right for where I was at in my life, either. I started having conversations with Aaron [Korsh, showrunner] and we both decided [Adams leaving] made sense, as sad and scary as it was. It just felt like it was the way to go.”

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Suits fans said goodbye to Mike Ross and Rachel Zane in the season seven finale (Image: NETFLIX)

Adams’ exit coincided with Markle’s as Rachel Zane with the newlyweds leaving to start their own company.

In reality, Markle was making her exit as she was preparing to become a senior member of the Royal Family with her marrying Prince Harry a year later.

But Adams insists that Markle’s departure wasn’t the reason for his own exit, elaborating: “It just so happens that the timing of how I was feeling [about leaving Suits] and what was going on in Meghan’s life created an opportunity where there was no need to force some conflict or tear Mike and Rachel apart.

“It allowed us to go on to whatever happens next for Mike and Rachel together.”

Suits is available to watch on Netflix.

Emotional reason Patrick J Adams left role as Mike Ross in hit series Suits

Emotional reason Patrick J Adams left role as Mike Ross in hit series Suits

Emotional reason Patrick J Adams left role as Mike Ross in hit series Suits

Emotional reason Patrick J Adams left role as Mike Ross in hit series Suits

Emotional reason Patrick J Adams left role as Mike Ross in hit series Suits