Katherine Heigl makes TV comeback in Suits as Meghan Markle departs series

Meghan Markle is giving up acting for marriage. Photo / Getty Images

With Meghan Markle departing the hit series Suits for life as a royal bride, producers have found some new star power to replace her in the upcoming eighth season of the show.

Katherine Heigl will join the cast as a series regular, it has been announced.

The former Grey's Anatomy actress will play Samantha Wheeler, a talented new partner at the show's Pearson Specter Litt law firm, news.com.au reports.

Katherine Heigl is returning to TV with a new role in Suits. Photo / Getty Images

Heigl's presence on the show brings some much-needed star power to Season 8 after Markle's resignation.

The 36-year-old actress gave up her acting career upon her engagement to Prince Harry.

Markle told the BBC in the couple's joint interview: "I don't see it as giving anything up. I just see it as a change. It's a new chapter."

For Heigl, 39, this could be her comeback moment.

"Joining 'Suits' was the perfect organic way to not only collaborate with an EP 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 from USA Network. "I have watched 'Suits' from the very beginning and feel incredibly lucky to be the newest member of the Pearson Specter Litt family."