Suits Features Former 'Game of Thrones' Talent

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It is not a common occurrence for two highly successful television programs from disparate genres, airing concurrently, to feature shared principal cast members. However, this scenario materialized when the stars of Game of Thrones, specifically Michelle Fairley, who embodied Catelyn Stark, and Conleth Hill, who brought Lord Varys to life, secured substantial recurring roles on the program Suits. Within the narrative of Suits, Fairley took on the persona of Ava Hessington, the chief executive officer of Hessington Oil, whereas Hill was cast as Edward Darby, an international corporate legal professional and the managing partner at Darby International. Previously, he held the position of managing partner at Pearson Darby and subsequently at Pearson Darby Specter. Much in the same vein as their work on Game of Thrones, Fairley and Hill's characters engaged with each other on screen in Suits.

Who Were Michelle Fairley and Conleth Hill's Characters in 'Game of Thrones'?

In the acclaimed series Game of Thrones, Michelle Fairley portrayed Lady Catelyn Stark, the spouse of Ned Stark (played by Sean Bean) and the mother of the eventual victor of the titular "Game" of thrones, King Brandon "Bran" Stark (portrayed by Isaac Hempstead Wright). Catelyn was depicted as a fiercely protective mother to her offspring, to the extent that she was prepared to undertake any action for their well-being, which included making decisions with profound political consequences. A notable instance was her decision to release Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), a move that could have been leveraged more effectively as a bargaining tool against the Lannisters during the conflict with the Starks. This choice, in effect, contributed to her demise and that of her son, Robb (Richard Madden), at the infamous Red Wedding. Nevertheless, her unwavering commitment to her children's welfare rendered her a sympathetic figure. Within the often harsh and morally ambiguous world of Game of Thrones, these very human imperfections made Fairley's portrayal of Catelyn relatable, particularly in her capacity as a mother. Catelyn's influence extended beyond safeguarding her children; she was an active participant in the political machinations of Westeros, offering astute political counsel to her husband, Ned, and subsequently to her son, Robb.

Conleth Hill, conversely, embodied the character of Lord Varys in Game of Thrones. In the realm of Westeros, Varys was known by the appellations the Master of Whisperers and the Spider, monikers earned through his proficiency in "dealing in information." His designation as the Master of Whisperers stemmed from his extensive network of informants who kept him apprised of happenings within and beyond the Seven Kingdoms, while the moniker "Spider" alluded to the intricate web of his whisperer network. The significance of his role within the King's Court was such that it afforded him the title of "Lord," despite his humble origins and lack of personal possessions. Hill's character navigated the tumultuous reigns of various monarchs in the Seven Kingdoms. Irrespective of who held the throne, Varys consistently offered counsel based on his own survival and his perception of what was beneficial for the populace, positioning his character as one of the few within the fantasy drama to elicit neutral responses from viewers. He was, in essence, a shrewd political strategist.

Fairley and Hill's Characters Crossed Paths in Both 'Game of Thrones' and 'Suits'

The characters portrayed by Michelle Fairley and Conleth Hill did indeed interact within the universe of Game of Thrones, with the two actors sharing a scene earlier in the series' run. In this particular sequence, Varys, who held a position on the King's small council, became aware of Catelyn's presence in King's Landing through his network of informants. He convened with her, accompanied by Littlefinger (Aidan Gillen), a long-standing acquaintance of Catelyn. Catelyn's objective was to ascertain the identity of the individual who had attempted to assassinate her son, Bran, while under her protection. The scene depicted an assassin's attempt on Bran, who was in a comatose state following a fall from a tower. Catelyn managed to fend off the assailant long enough for Summer, Bran's direwolf, to fatally incapacitate the attacker. During their encounter in King's Landing, Varys was unable to positively identify the Valyrian steel dagger employed in the assault on Bran.

Although their characters did not directly engage again in subsequent seasons of Game of Thrones, the impact of their respective roles continued to resonate throughout the series. Varys's execution at the hands of Daenerys Targaryen precipitated Jon Snow's assassination of Daenerys, following Jon's realization that Daenerys had not upheld her promise to govern with greater benevolence. This sequence of events ultimately paved the way for Catelyn's son, Bran, to assume the throne, a conclusion reached in the widely discussed series finale.

In the popular legal drama Suits, which experienced a notable resurgence in viewership on Netflix during the preceding year, Michelle Fairley took on the role of Ava Hessington, the chief executive of Hessington Oil, a family enterprise she inherited from her father. Edward Darby (portrayed by Hill), on the other hand, had served as the legal representative for her father. In a pivotal moment of their interaction on the show, Fairley and Hill's characters converged when Ava faced accusations of murder. Edward Darby, who was a partner at Pearson Darby Specter at the time, personally committed to employing all available resources to defend Ava. It later emerged that their connection transcended a mere professional association. Beyond his legal representation of Ava's father, Darby was also romantically involved with him. At that historical juncture, such a relationship would have severely jeopardized their respective careers, leading Ava to accompany them on vacations and pose as Darby's girlfriend to conceal their homosexual relationship.

Following this backstory within Suits, when Fairley's character was implicated in a murder, Hill's character felt a moral obligation to protect Ava, viewing her as akin to family. Just as in Game of Thrones, where exposing a character's vulnerability could prove detrimental, it transpired in Suits that Jessica Pearson strategically exploited this situation to engineer Darby's departure from their firm. Consequently, Darby was compelled to relinquish his legal practice license in New York as a condition for securing Ava's freedom, particularly as Cameron Dennis (Gary Cole), the District Attorney for Manhattan, was actively pursuing Stephen Huntley instead.

Fairley and Hill Share Parallel Career Trajectories

Both Michelle Fairley and Conleth Hill have embarked on remarkable career paths. They are both accomplished stage actors whose professional lives have predominantly been rooted in the theater, complemented by select roles in mainstream television and cinema. Fairley's other significant performances include her appearances in the Sky Atlantic crime drama, Gangs of London, and her portrayal of Princess Augusta in Netflix's historical drama, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. While Game of Thrones undeniably brought their acting prowess to global attention, their impactful performances in significant recurring capacities on Suits serve as compelling evidence of their broad spectrum of acting capabilities. It can be considered a fortunate alignment of circumstances that they were provided the opportunity to act together on both of these widely recognized programs.

Suits is presently accessible for streaming on Netflix within the United States.

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