Meghan Markle’s Suits co-star Abigail Spencer hasn’t hit a monumental moment in her own career just yet, but she’s still not afraid to share her limited spotlight with her talented friends.
In January 2016, the How I Met Your Mother actress did just that at the Critics’ Choice Awards when she decided to walk the red carpet with — and give a shoutout to — her longtime director friend, Duke Johnson.
Abigail Spencer wears her hair back at the 21st Critics’ Choice Awards held on January 17, 2016, in Santa Monica, California
Through her recurring role as Dana J. Scott on the American legal drama television series Suits, she became good friends with the future Duchess of Sussex.
Her first appearance as Dana was in Play the Man, the seventh episode of the first season of Suits that aired on August 4, 2011. Born on August 4, 1981, in Gulf Breeze, Florida, Abigail turned 30 on the same day.
Meghan Markle shares the same birthday as Abigail and was born on August 4, 1981, in Canoga Park, Los Angeles, California.
Abigail Spencer and Priyanka Chopra attend the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle held on May 19, 2018, in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle in the United Kingdom
According to an interview with ET, Spencer and Markle first met at an audition over a decade before Meghan’s royal wedding.
“I have known her for years before the show,” Spencer said of becoming friends with the American member of the British royal family.
“We were born on the same day, hours apart, in the same year… she’s a trusted friend and one of the most glorious people I have ever met.”
Abigail Spencer is also good friends with Indian actress, singer, and film producer Priyanka Chopra
“I saw her and was like, ‘Who is this gorgeous girl?'” she said of meeting Meghan for the first time. “She was just so stunning and there was just something about her, and that’s how we met.”
Good friends to this day, Abigail Leigh Spencer attended not only the wedding but also Meghan Markle’s baby shower in New York City.
Abigail Spencer in a dress from Givenchy’s Spring 2020 ready to wear collection at the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 9, 2020, in Beverly Hills, California
To the awards show presented annually by the American-Canadian Broadcast Film Critics Association, Abigail wore a gorgeous ruffled dress by J. Mendel, which she accessorized with a clutch from Lee Savage, jewelry from Marina B, and the popular “Frontline” heels by Tamara Mellon.
Abigail Spencer wears a pink-and-black J. Mendel dress to the Critics’ Choice Awards
We love the overall feel of Abigail’s look — we think the way she carried herself is stellar.
Abigail Spencer’s feet in black strappy Tamara Mellon sandals
If we were to point out something we quite didn’t like about the look, it was the sports-bra-like part of her dress. We love the halter with the thin straps and the ruffled slits, but we didn’t quite get the band.
Duke Johnson and Abigail Spencer pose for photos together at the Critics’ Choice Awards
An American film director who specializes in stop-motion animation, in 2016 Duke Johnson was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in the 88th Academy Awards for co-directing the stop-motion psychological comedy-drama film Anomalisa with Charlie Kaufman.
Via Abigail Spencer’s social media: “Getting ready for critics choice with @castillo_13 & @lauren_andersen Styling by @karlawelchstylist. Rectify is nominated for best drama!”
Little styling flaw aside, we love that Abigail represented her show “Rectify,” but also gave a shoutout for Duke’s directorial work on “Anomalisa.” Check out her adorable ceremony photo below.
Via Abigail Spencer’s social media: “Always in his shadow. #rectify was nominated tonight at #CriticsChoice & so was Duke for #Anomalisa!”
Since her departure from Jimmy Choo, Tamara Mellon hasn’t been doing so bad for herself. Her “Frontline” sandal has quickly become a favorite on red carpets.
You can also check out a similar shoe by Tamara called “Horizon” at Tamara Mellon and Net-A-Porter.
Tamara Mellon “Frontline” Sandals in Black Patent, $595
Crafted in Italy from gold mirrored-leather, this flattering pair is finished with clear PVC inserts along with supportive straps:
Tamara Mellon “Horizon” Sandals in Gold, $595
These soft beige suede sandals will work with virtually everything in your evening capsule.:
Tamara Mellon “Horizon” Sandals in Suede, $595
Credit: Brian To / FayesVision / WENN / John Rainford / Sheri Determan