stand in the sun together

Now in its fourth season, OPA’s ranks have dwindled to become “OQH” — Olivia (Kerry Washington), Quinn (Katie Lowes) and Huck (Guillermo Diaz) — as the fixers have seemingly abandoned their trademark suits in favor of B6-13 gear including combat boots and leather jackets after Abby’s (Darby Stanchfield) defection to the White House, Stephen’s (Henry Ian Cusick) departure and Harrison’s death.

"Do you realize there actually are no Gladiators in Suits? It’s a couple of B6-13 freaks helping out Olivia, that’s what’s happening in that conference room!" Stanchfield tells The Hollywood Reporter. ”I was on the show the other day and people, no one is in a suit! There’s no straight skirts or heels! You guys are B6-13 in your combat boots and leather jackets, throwing ‘tude around and Olivia is the only one in her white suit.”

The actress, who has spent the bulk of season four serving as White House press secretary, is confident that the suits may eventually return to OPA after Abby finds out that Olivia was kidnapped.

"In the next four episodes, Abby has a couple of Gladiator moments that are a throwback to her OPA days," Stanchfield says. "It was fantastic to do and I think the fans will get a kick out of it. There was one scene I was shooting where I had to go into someone’s residence and I turned to the writer and director and asked, ‘Am I picking the lock or do I have a key?!’ That says it all."

Season four will return from its midseason hiatus and pick up immediately after Olivia’s kidnapping with a story that Stanchfield calls “quite elaborate” and not an “easy fix.” “[The second half of season four] feels like we’re starting a new wave,” she notes, declining to say if the story would bring Abby — and her suits! — back to OPA. “I have a theory that eventually there will be Gladiators in Suits again!”