Patrick J. Adams Quit ‘Suits’ Because ‘I Was Drinking Too Much’ and ‘Depressed’: ‘The Only Reason to Stay Was Money’ and ‘I Never Regretted’ Leaving

As a long-time admirer of the small screen, I find the story of Patrick J. Adams‘ journey during his time on “Suits” both inspiring and heartbreaking. His candid admission about battling depression and alcoholism while on set is a testament to the pressures that come with fame and success.


Actor Patrick J. Adams, best known for his role in “Suits,” recently appeared on Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s podcast “Dinner’s on Me.” During this conversation, he discussed his departure from “Suits,” a USA legal drama where he was a main cast member for seven seasons. His character, Michael James Ross, was paired with Harvey Specter, played by Gabriel Macht. Adams appeared in the show’s last two episodes but did not feature in its final two seasons.

As a fan, I’d put it this way: “I admit, I wasn’t prioritizing my mental well-being during the final season. I found myself leaning heavily on alcohol and living in an unreflective state. It was a tough time, one could say I was deeply unhappy and struggling with depression. Without the necessary skills to cope, I resorted to spending money excessively, drinking too much, and avoiding conversations about it.

He went on to say, ‘To cope with my insecurities and fears, I’d often numb myself [by drinking]. However, this wasn’t effective and was causing harm, especially in my relationship and as a father. I became less present. The moment when I realized I needed to change was when I thought, “I don’t want to be an alcoholic dad.” The most beneficial decision I made for myself was to quit drinking. It was necessary for all these other positive changes to occur.’

The TV show ‘Suits’ aired a total of 134 episodes from 2011 to 2019. Its popularity experienced a resurgence last year when it became available on Netflix. In a podcast, Adams admitted that by the time Season 8 was approaching, the only reason he could fathom for continuing was the financial incentive. He confided in his mother, who counseled him against returning if it was solely for monetary reasons.

Adams stated, ‘The sole motivation to remain was financial reasons,’ he explained. ‘I was at a loss as to what else I could provide. At times, I find myself pondering about the earnings [Gabriel Macht] accumulated during the last two years in the dead of night, but not once have I regretted my choice. It was a necessary step for my marriage… it was past due.’

The hit TV series “Suits” is coming back to life with the new spinoff show called “Suits: LA,” scheduled to debut on NBC on February 23, 2025. In this return, Gabriel Macht will reprise his role as Harvey Specter in a recurring part across three episodes. On the other hand, Patrick J. Adams is currently hosting a podcast discussing past episodes of “Suits” alongside co-star Sarah Rafferty.

Regardless of the challenges he encountered during his time on “Suits”, Adams expressed that he feels an abundance of empathy towards himself when reflecting on the show. He went on to say, “[I can] be more understanding and recognize the incredible talent within our whole team.

Listen to Adams’ full interview on the “Dinner’s on Me” podcast here.

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2024-11-26 22:46