Speculation about Meghan Markle's return to acting has been rife since reports emerged that she and Prince Harry plan to spend an extended period in the UK. The couple, who have lived in California since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, are reportedly preparing for a return that has already sparked intense media scrutiny.
Central to the rumours was the possibility that Markle would join the cast of Guy Ritchie's Netflix series The Gentlemen, a spin-off of his 2019 film. Australian outlet News.com.au initially reported that she had been offered a role in a UK-based project, with Variety later suggesting it was for the show's planned third season. Such a move would have been logical given the existing partnership between Netflix and Archewell Productions, the company she runs with Harry. That collaboration has produced With Love, Meghan, a lifestyle series that was widely panned by critics, as well as the documentaries Harry & Meghan and Polo, and the docuseries Heart of Invictus.
However, it now appears that any such offer has been withdrawn—if it was ever made in the first place. Tina Brown, the former editor of Vanity Fair and The New Yorker, wrote over the weekend: “I learned this morning that the casting of Meghan Markle in season 3 of Guy Ritchie’s Netflix series The Gentlemen has been withdrawn. The backlash in the UK was so intense, it became untenable to go forward.”
Brown's claim has not been independently verified, and it remains unclear whether the original story was planted to generate publicity or was simply a fabrication. What is certain is that Markle's potential return to the small screen would face significant headwinds, given the polarised public opinion surrounding her in Britain.
A career on hold
Markle is best known for her role as Rachel Zane in the legal drama Suits, which she left in 2017 before marrying Prince Harry. Her earlier television credits include appearances in CSI: NY, 90210, Fringe, and Castle, while her film roles were mostly minor, including parts in Horrible Bosses (2011), Dysfunctional Friends (2012), and Anti-Social (2015). She also led two Hallmark movies: When Sparks Fly (2014) and Dater's Handbook (2016).
The news of the alleged withdrawal comes amid broader reports about the couple's financial and legal challenges. Prince Harry is reportedly facing a £9.5 million legal bill as his UK return looms, a development that adds another layer of complexity to their transatlantic plans. The couple's relationship with the British press remains fraught, and any new venture is likely to be met with intense scrutiny.
For now, Markle's acting comeback appears to be on hold, if it was ever truly in the works. The episode underscores the difficulties the couple face in navigating their public life in the UK, where every move is dissected and often met with hostility. Whether this particular story was a trial balloon or a genuine opportunity that collapsed under pressure, it highlights the challenges of re-entering a British cultural landscape that remains deeply divided over the Sussexes.
As the couple prepares for their extended stay, the question of how they will rebuild their reputation—and whether Markle will return to the screen—remains open. For now, the only certainty is that the rumour mill shows no signs of slowing down.
