Stylish legal drama Suits has tailored an invigorated cast line up for Season 8. With the departure of series regulars Patrick J. Adams and now Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle (their newlywed characters left New York for Seattle in the Season 7 finale), Grey’s Anatomy alum, Katherine Heigl joins the cast as Samantha Wheeler, a smart, abrasive new legal partner who soon shakes up the status quo.

As a longtime fan of the show, Heigl was thrilled to join the cast as she tells HFPA members Luca Celada and Jenny Cooney who spoke to her for this report.