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Patrick J. Adams, known for his portrayal of the brilliant and ambitious Mike Ross in Suits, left an indelible mark on the show. Running for nine successful seasons, the legal drama concluded in 2019, but Adams made his exit two seasons earlier, in Season 7. While he initially cited family reasons for his departure, Adams has since opened up about deeper personal struggles that influenced his decision to step away.
Patrick J. Adams reveals why he really left the ‘Suits?’
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Adams explained that leaving Suits was primarily about prioritizing quality time with his loved ones. Having portrayed Mike Ross since the show’s debut in 2011, the demands of his role left little room for family life. By the midpoint of Season 6, he began contemplating his departure, ultimately deciding before negotiations for Season 8 began. Adams also felt that his character’s arc had been fully explored by that point, making it the right moment to move on.
In a more recent conversation with Jesse Tyler Ferguson on the podcast Dinner’s on Me, Adams shared additional details about his departure, revealing the toll the show took on his mental health. He described feeling miserable and depressed by the end of the seventh season, struggling to manage the pressures of work and personal life.
“I wasn’t taking good care of my mental health, and I was drinking too much come the end of the seventh season,” he admitted. Alcohol became his coping mechanism, numbing the emotional strain he was experiencing. Unfortunately, this period also put a strain on his marriage to actress Troian Bellisario, whom he wed in 2016.
Since leaving Suits, Adams has made significant strides in rebuilding his life. He embraced sobriety, a decision he made partly because of his role as a father. After welcoming his first daughter, Aurora, in October 2018, Adams realized that drinking was preventing him from being the engaged and present father he wanted to be.
“That for me was a breaking point when I was like, ‘I think I should stop drinking probably ‘cause I don’t want to be that dad,’” he shared. While he initially missed drinking, Adams now views sobriety as one of the best decisions he has ever made. It allowed him to focus on his marriage, friendships, and personal well-being.
Adams stands by his decision to leave the series, even though it meant walking away from financial stability. “The only reason to stay was… money,” he admitted. “But I never regretted the decision for a second. It was the right thing for my marriage… it was time.”
Despite his departure, Adams returned for a few episodes in Suits’ final season to celebrate the show’s success and reconnect with his former colleagues. He described the experience as “a huge gift,” reflecting on the impact the show had on his career and relationships.
Life After Suits
Since leaving the show, Adams has embraced new opportunities both personally and professionally. He and Bellisario welcomed their second daughter, Elliot, in 2021. Professionally, Adams has taken on selective roles in film and television while exploring his passion for photography, which he uses as a creative outlet.
Adams’ journey underscores the importance of prioritizing mental health and personal well-being, even in the face of career success. His decision to step away from Suits not only allowed him to regain balance but also set an example of how taking a step back can lead to greater growth and happiness
