Meghan Markle’s potential return to acting has taken an unexpected turn. Just days after reports linked the Duchess of Sussex to Guy Ritchie’s Netflix series The Gentlemen, a new claim suggested that her casting had been withdrawn following a strong reaction in the UK. But the story may not be over.
A separate report published Monday, August 24, says industry sources maintain that discussions are still happening. That leaves Meghan’s The Gentlemen role in an unusually murky position.
© Getty ImagesWas Meghan Markle Dropped From ‘The Gentlemen’?
The casting controversy began after multiple entertainment outlets reported that Meghan was being considered for Season 3 of The Gentlemen, Guy Ritchie’s Netflix crime comedy.
Deadline reported that Meghan had held “preliminary conversations” about appearing in a potential third season. Variety subsequently reported that Meghan was in talks to join Season 3. People described the discussions as being at an early stage and noted that the role itself was still being developed.
Then came a dramatically different account.
Tina Brown, the journalist, author and former editor of Vanity Fair and The New Yorker, claimed on Saturday that Meghan’s casting had been pulled. “I learned this morning that the casting of Meghan Markle in season 3 of Guy Ritchie’s Netflix series ‘The Gentlemen’ has been withdrawn,” Brown wrote, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
© Getty ImagesBrown attributed the reported decision to the reaction Meghan’s potential casting had received in Britain. “The backlash in the UK was so intense, it became untenable to go forward,” Brown wrote.
She added: “This does not bode well for Meghan’s acting comeback in the UK.”
Meghan Markle’s Casting Withdrawal Is Not Confirmed
Netflix, Guy Ritchie and Meghan’s representatives have not publicly confirmed Brown’s version of events.
The Independent reported that Brown claimed the decision to cast Meghan had been reversed. The Hollywood Reporter similarly characterized Meghan as reportedly having been dropped from consideration.
© Getty ImagesBut a newer report complicates that narrative. News.com.au reported on August 24 that industry insiders disputed the suggestion that the opportunity was dead, with one source saying “nothing has changed.”
‘The Gentlemen’ Season 3 Is Now Official
There has also been a significant development involving the series itself. Netflix has officially renewed The Gentlemen for Season 3, Deadline reported on August 24, with Guy Ritchie returning to direct.
The series stars Theo James and is based on the world Ritchie established in his 2019 film of the same name. Its mix of British aristocracy, crime and dark comedy would make a Meghan appearance particularly attention-grabbing given her own complicated history with Britain and the royal family.
© AFP via Getty ImagesWhat Role Was Meghan Markle Reportedly Being Considered For?
Details surrounding Meghan’s possible The Gentlemen character have never been officially confirmed. The Sun reported that speculation within television circles centered on Meghan playing a character who could seduce an aristocrat and disrupt the show’s upper-class world. The outlet also reported speculation that the role could be worth at least £1 million.
Whatever happens with The Gentlemen, Meghan’s acting comeback did not begin with Guy Ritchie. The former Suits star has already filmed a role in the Amazon MGM Studios movie Close Personal Friends.
© Justin Goff PhotosIn a 2022 interview with Variety, when asked about returning to acting, Meghan indicated that she considered that chapter finished, saying she was “done.”
Meghan built her pre-royal career primarily as a working television actress, appearing on Suits for seven seasons before leaving the series as her relationship with Prince Harry moved toward marriage and royal life.
