I am more than ready to watch Meghan Markle acclimate to her new role in the British royal family before she weds Prince Harry in May. After all, the royals could use more messy buns and oversized scarves. However, fans of the actress’s work on the USA series Suits are probably concerned about what comes next after Markle’s departure from the role of Rachel Zane. Luckily, a face very familiar to TV is filling the void: former Grey’s Anatomy star Katherine Heigl will join the series as a new character when Suits returns for Season 8.
Variety reports that Heigl will portray the new character Samantha Wheeler, who joins the law firm as a challenging new partner. As Markle’s former costar Patrick J. Adams also left the show after Season 7, actor Dulé Hill, known for his role on The West Wing, will also join the cast in the new season.
It may take people awhile to adjust to Heigl not being on TV as Grey‘s Anatomy’s Izzie, but she’s totally ready for the change. “Joining Suits was the perfect organic way to not only colloborate with an [executive producer] I admire deeply, but to also become part of a show and cast that I am an immense fan of,” Heigl said in a statement. “I have watched Suits from the very beginning and feel incredibly lucky to be the newest member of the Pearson Specter Litt family.”
Fans of Heigl were quick to celebrate the news on Twitter.
KATHERINE HEIGL IS JOINING SUITS THANK YOU SO MUCH
— jess,,!!! (@mcsloans) January 31, 2018
listen up for any suits stans unfamiliar with katherine heigl’s acting sHE IS AMAZING I HOPE SHE HAS A CHANCE TO PROVE IT
— ً (@everettsloans) January 31, 2018
Katherine Heigl is joining the suits fam pic.twitter.com/hLik4pPDEi
— Nil@anil_campbell) February 1, 2018
However, those familiar with the drama surrounding Heigl’s later involvement with Grey’s Anatomy weren’t very thrilled.
“Katherine Heigl Joins Suits as a Regular” RIP #SuitsUSA , you were awesome, was nice meeting you.
— Guillaume Dauphinais (@delphs) January 31, 2018
I’m okay with Katherine Heigl‘s new #Suits character if she’s a clear villain and nothing but a villain.
— Lindsey (@IvoryNeptune) January 31, 2018
With the new season starting production in April, it looks like Heigl will join the veteran cast in the midst of heavy pre-royal wedding excitement. We don’t know if any of Markle’s old castmates will make an appearance on the big day, but they have to get a few days off if they’re invited, right?
Good luck to Heigl as she takes on this new job!