Meghan Markle's Onscreen Dad Saved Her from Fake Engagement Rumors

Photo credit: USA Network - Getty Images
Photo credit: USA Network - Getty Images

From Harper's BAZAAR

  • Meghan Markle's onscreen father on Suits was played by Wendell Pierce, and the actor has opened up about working with the Duchess of Sussex.

  • Appearing on an episode of radio show Desert Island Discs, Pierce revealed his advice to Meghan as she left Hollywood for the royal family.


Duchess Meghan gave up acting when she joined the royal family, but her former co-stars have only warm memories about the star.

In a new interview on radio show Desert Island Discs (via The Guardian), Wendell Pierce, who played Rachel Zane's dad on Suits, discussed working with the royal. Pierce had only lovely things to say about Meghan, as he revealed that working with her "was great." He continued, "She’s a really good actress and was always sweet, always kind."

But their time together on the show wasn't without its drama. The actor revealed that when Rachel Zane got engaged, Pierce helped Meghan avoid any unnecessary drama with the press. As she was dating Prince Harry at that time, Pierce knew that it would wrongly be assumed that the actress was betrothed to the royal if anyone photographed her wearing a ring.

Photo credit: USA Network - Getty Images
Photo credit: USA Network - Getty Images

Pierce explained, "We were shooting one day, before the engagement. In the show she was engaged, and she had a ring on. We were about to get out of the car and I said, 'Don’t get out. Give us the ring. There’s a paparazzo down the street. If a photograph got out with you with a ring on it, it would explode all over the world.'" Basically, Pierce saved Meghan from a lot of potential faux press.

And even though they haven't spoken since filming ended, Pierce wanted Meghan to know that he'd always be there for her. Per the actor, "When we had the final scenes I said: 'Listen, your world is going to be forever changed, and no matter where you are, you can always know that you have a friend in me.' That was the last time I got to speak to her – and it was great."

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