Suits star Gabriel Macht is just as curious as anyone about why fans keep wanting more of Harvey Specter.
That’s the million-dollar question.
Macht, 53, told Us Weekly while promoting his new role in Bear Fight Whiskey’s first-ever ad campaign
I think that there’s a certain element to Harvey, which is [that] he speaks from the hip. He’s very quippy. He’s totally and utterly full of himself and has an ego — really the size of maybe a small state in the U.S. — but underneath it all, he really does have a heart of gold.
Macht explained.Advertisement
A Long-Awaited Return to Suits
Macht first brought Harvey Specter to life in Suits back in 2011, and after nine seasons, he said farewell to the character in 2019. But with the debut of Suits LA last month, the actor was given an opportunity to reprise the role once more.
I think he really wants the best for the common person or for the every man — for whoever he’s looking out for. Initially, he’s probably way more corporate or way more self-serving. I think that what makes him resonate with audiences is that he has [made] mistakes.
Macht said of his fan-favorite character.
But despite Harvey’s undeniable charm, Macht admitted his character’s morally gray choices sometimes leave him puzzled.
He just does things, sometimes in manipulative ways, to solve a problem that is justified. But there are times where I’m like, ‘This guy is terrible. What is he doing?’
Macht said.
A Full-Circle Moment on Suits LA
Harvey Specter made his grand return in Suits LA on Sunday, March 16, appearing alongside Arrow star Stephen Amell, who plays Ted Black. The two even had a “Batman-off” in a flashback sequence—a moment that was just a glimpse of Macht’s planned three-episode arc, with Harvey set to appear again in present-day scenes.
Macht revealed that stepping back into Harvey’s world was surreal, especially since he had fully embraced leaving the character behind after the original series ended.
I was really ready to put the character to bed, and it was the opportunity of a lifetime for an actor, and I’m so blessed by it.
he shared
But when Suits creator Aaron Korsh reached out, Macht decided to at least “consider” a return. His experience filming Suits LA was overwhelmingly positive, with many familiar faces from the original show behind the scenes.
A lot of the same writers were on the original Suits. A couple of the directors that directed the episodes that I was in, I’m very close to. There was that comfort with them and a real sort of a short dialogue that we have. The crew was great. They were just so welcoming. Everybody in L.A. was super easy and just into it and didn’t seem like there was any ego on the set.
Macht said.
From Harvey Specter to Bear Fight Whiskey
In addition to Suits LA, Macht is making waves with his new partnership with Bear Fight Whiskey, starring in the brand’s first-ever commercial. As a creative director for the company, he had plenty of input on the campaign—including a scene where he hilariously gets beaten up by a man in a bear costume.
The bigger picture [is] the narrative that we all have our own little bear fights. In this one, it’s almost like my bear fight is that I’m working with a guy who doesn’t know what he’s doing, and how are we going to collaborate with me actually getting the crap kicked out of me.
he explained
Macht also acknowledged the undeniable overlap between himself and Harvey Specter, noting that while the Suits character is all about luxury, he doesn’t necessarily share the same attitude in real life.
There is sort of an intersection of where Gabriel becomes Harvey and Harvey is Harvey. I think that even though Harvey’s sort of that top shelf, he’s got to have the best, I don’t. But you never know, Harvey could turn into a Bear Fight guy.
Macht said
Suits LA airs on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on NBC.
Source: US Weekly