Patrick J. Adams, best known for playing Mike Ross on Suits, recently opened up about why he left the show after season 7. The 43-year-old actor gained fame for his role alongside Meghan Markle, who played Rachel Zane. In 2018, he announced that he was stepping away from the show to focus on his personal life, including his marriage to Pretty Little Liars star Troian Bellisario.
During a recent chat on Jessie Tyler Ferguson’s Dinner’s on Me podcast, Patrick shared more about the personal struggles that led to his decision to leave. He admitted that by the end of season 7, he wasn’t taking care of his mental health and was drinking too much.
“I was in a pretty dark place,” he said. “I was living an unexamined life, and I was really unhappy. I was drinking to numb myself, but it wasn’t helping. It wasn’t helping my relationship, and it definitely wasn’t helping me be present as a father.”
Patrick went on to say that realizing the toll his behavior was taking on his family was a turning point. “I had to stop drinking. I didn’t want to be the kind of dad who wasn’t there,” he said. “Quitting drinking was the best thing I did for myself, and it helped me get my life back on track.”
He also shared that by the end of his time on Suits, the only reason he stayed was for the money. “I didn’t know what else I could give to the show,” he admitted. But he never regretted leaving. “It was the right thing for my marriage. It was time to go.”
Patrick married Troian in 2016, and they now have two daughters, Aurora and Elliot.
Suits ran from 2011 to 2019, following a group of corporate lawyers, and became a huge hit. Recently, NBC announced a Suits spin-off called Suits L.A., which is set to air in February 2025. While it’s still unclear whether Patrick or Meghan Markle will appear, Patrick has said he would be open to returning if the opportunity came up.
“I love the show, I love the character, and I would definitely be ready to jump back in if they call me,” he said at the 2024 Golden Globes.
In the end, Patrick’s decision to step away from the spotlight was about more than just his career—it was about his health, his family, and making sure he was the best version of himself for the people he loved.