Meghan Markle’s acting comeback has seen more twists and turns than a Netflix series.
Reports that the Duchess of Sussex, who is returning to the UK with husband Prince Harry and their children next month, had signed a deal to appear in season three of Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen emerged on Friday, marking a highly-anticipated acting comeback for the former Suits star.
But the offer, worth a reported seven figures, was seemingly scrapped just hours later due to ‘intense’ backlash, making it ‘untenable’ to move forward.
However, reports are now suggesting that Meghan will indeed appear in the action comedy, which stars Theo James and Kaya Scodelario.
A source told The Sun: ‘Her return to acting is expected to draw a large audience of both her supporters and critics, and is likely to make a lot of money.
‘It will be seen as a major coup for whoever signs her.’
The publication added that Netflix bosses are still keen to sign Meghan up for the show, but no formal agreement on her role has been reached.
The 45-year-old was said to be discussing a role, with the part currently written for its as-yet-unannounced third season.
But the announcement received ‘public backlash’, as alleged by Tina Brown, a royal author and the former editor of both Tatler and Vanity Fair, who is well-connected in US showbiz circles.
She wrote on X: ‘I learned this morning the casting of Meghan in The Gentlemen has been withdrawn.
‘The backlash in the UK was so intense, it became untenable.
‘This does not bode well for Meghan’s acting comeback in the UK.’
The Gentlemen’s plot
In The Gentlemen, Theo James plays Eddie Horniman, the second son of the Duke of Halstead.
But after never intending to inherit his father’s Dukedom, he attended Sandhurst and made a career in the British Army – sounds familiar, doesn’t it?
After his father dies he returns home for his funeral and learns he has inherited the title of Duke and the 500-year-old estate over his brother Freddy.
However, he quickly discovers an underground cannabis farm run by the Glass family empire. Criminal activities ensue as Eddie turns rival gangsters against each other while guided by Susie Glass, played by Kaya Scodelario.
While Netflix is yet to comment on the reports, Meghan is understood to have met director Guy Ritchie through mutual acquaintances, although further details remain under wraps.
Speaking in 2022, the Duchess insisted she had no plans to appear on the small screen again, telling Variety of her acting career: ‘I’m done. I guess never say never, but my intention is to absolutely not.’
Prior to her relationship with Harry, Meghan was best known for playing Rachel Zane in the US legal drama Suits, featuring for seven seasons before her final episode aired in 2018.
It was revealed last week that the couple will leave behind their life in Montecito, California, to head back to the UK, six years after their decision to step away from royal life.
The couple will live in a non-royal residence outside of London when they move back and have already enrolled Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet in British schools.
Metro has contacted representatives for the Duchess of Sussex for comment.