Reports have surfaced about Meghan Markle considering a return to acting as she and Prince Harry plan their move back to the U.K. There was speculation that she was in talks for a role in “The Gentlemen,” a popular Netflix series produced by Guy Ritchie, which is set to return for its second season in September. However, this news has drawn significant backlash from the British public, leading to the understanding that the role is no longer available to her.
British Backlash
According to Tina Brown, former editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair and The New Yorker, the intensity of the backlash in the U.K. has made it “untenable” for Markle to proceed with the casting. In a report published on her Substack on August 22, Brown stated, “I learned this morning that the casting of Meghan Markle in Season 3 of Guy Ritchie’s Netflix series ‘The Gentlemen’ has been withdrawn.” She emphasized that this would not bode well for Markle’s acting career within the U.K.
Previous ‘Advanced Discussions’
Just one day prior to Brown’s announcement, The Hollywood Reporter noted that Markle had been involved in “advanced discussions to join an existing Netflix TV show that shoots in the U.K.,” although specifics regarding the number of episodes she would appear in were still unclear. Following this, multiple sources confirmed that the focus had been on “The Gentlemen.”
Australian journalist Bronte Coy, who initially broke the story of Markle’s efforts to reclaim her acting career, mentioned on BBC Radio 4’s “Today” that the potential role played a role in the couple’s decision to relocate back to London from California. She highlighted that this would have marked Markle’s first return to acting since her departure from Hollywood in 2017.
‘A Key Part of the Puzzle’
Prior to the news of the casting being withdrawn, Coy claimed that Markle’s acting comeback was a significant reason for the couple’s move to the U.K. She stated, “This is such a key part of the puzzle,” addressing the curiosity surrounding Markle’s career prospects as they prepared for their return. The excitement about her role in “The Gentlemen” was noted as being significant.
Repairing the Rift with King Charles
Despite Markle’s acting aspirations, sources indicate that the primary motivation for their move is Prince Harry’s desire to mend his relationship with his father, King Charles, who is currently battling cancer. A source shared with Page Six that Charles “looks forward” to spending time with Harry and his grandchildren. “I know that Charles is the reason they are moving back,” the source noted, suggesting that family ties may hold more weight than career ambitions at this juncture.
