Reports suggest Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, is no longer being considered for a part in the third season of Guy Ritchie’s Netflix production, "The Gentlemen." This development comes after an initial report indicated she was in early discussions for the British action-comedy series.
Royal expert Tina Brown shared this information, stating on her "Fresh Hell" Substack that the casting consideration for Markle in the series "has been withdrawn." Brown, who previously served as editor-in-chief for prominent publications like Vanity Fair and The New Yorker, attributed the decision to an "intense" public reaction in the United Kingdom. "The backlash in the UK was so intense, it became untenable to go forward," Brown wrote. She added that this situation "does not bode well for Meghan’s acting comeback in the UK."
Brown is also a celebrated author, known for her best-selling works including "The Diana Chronicles" from 2007 and "The Palace Papers: Inside the House of Windsor – the Truth and the Turmoil," published in 2022.
Potential Acting Return and Recent Ventures
A role in "The Gentlemen" would have marked Markle's first acting appearance since her marriage to Prince Harry in 2018 and her subsequent entry into the royal family.
After stepping down from her duties as a working royal in 2020, the Duchess of Sussex has explored various professional avenues. Her endeavors have encompassed streaming content production, podcasting, lifestyle initiatives, and philanthropic work.
The news of Markle's potential return to acting emerged amidst reports that she and Prince Harry were reportedly planning to relocate their family back to England by the close of the current month.
The couple entered into a significant agreement with Netflix for multiple projects when they departed England in 2020 and established their residence in California. This partnership included their highly successful 2022 docuseries, "Harry & Meghan," which featured their critical perspectives on life within the royal palace.
Last year, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex reportedly secured a new "first-look" deal with the streaming giant. This updated agreement was widely perceived as a less comprehensive arrangement compared to their original contract.