The Duchess of Sussex is "very excited" after being offered a role in an upcoming UK-based project, it is understood. Meghan Markle is making a surprise move back to Britain at the end of the month along with Prince Harry and their children, who have been enrolled in schools in the UK.
Significant role in undisclosed production
She is said to have been offered an undisclosed role in a yet-to-be-announced British-based production that has been described as 'significant'. The offer comes after speculation about Meghan's future following her return to her husband's homeland. It could see her return to acting after she made her name playing Rachel Zane, a paralegal, in the US drama Suits for seven series.
Meghan also made guest appearances on shows including CSI: Miami and 90210 but said she had retired from acting in 2018 when she married Harry. Since quitting her royal role and moving to California, she has appeared on screen in her Netflix lifestyle series, With Love, Meghan, and recently appeared as a guest judge on the Australian version of MasterChef.
Cameo and ongoing ventures
Earlier this year, she filmed a cameo where she played herself for the upcoming comedy film Close Personal Friends, alongside Emily in Paris star Lily Collins. Meghan is also believed to be continuing to run her As Ever brand, which sells jam and flower sprinkles from her new base.
It comes as a leading talent manager has said directors and producers will "absolutely want to meet" her if she wants to return to acting. Professor Jonathan Shalit, chairman of InterTalent Rights Group, believes Meghan can "do whatever she wants to do" following the move.
He said: "If she wants to return to acting, I have absolutely no doubt there would be interest in her. Suits has had an extraordinary life beyond its original run. It continues to be discovered and rediscovered through streaming and repeats, so there is already an audience who know Meghan as an actress rather than simply as the Duchess of Sussex."
Industry interest and security questions
Professor Shalit added: "Had she not married Harry, I think it is perfectly reasonable to assume that Suits would have been a very strong platform from which to pursue other major television and film roles. If Meghan decided tomorrow that she seriously wanted to act again, directors and producers would absolutely want to meet her and audition her. Would she automatically be handed every role she wanted? Of course not. Nobody is. But would doors open? Absolutely."
He noted that Meghan's "enormous name recognition" and "extraordinary international profile" would make her interesting to film producers. He added: "The question isn't really whether Hollywood or the British television industry would have Meghan back. The question is whether Meghan wants to act again. If she does, I would be very surprised if we didn't see her back on screen."
Meanwhile, questions have been raised over the Sussexes' finances as decisions about whether taxpayers will foot the bill for their security remain unanswered. Prime Minister Andy Burnham would not be drawn on Harry and Meghan's security arrangements in the UK, saying the funding for it was a "private matter". The Sussexes will keep their home in Montecito and another in Portugal after they relocate.
