Meghan Markle is still expected to appear in season three of Guy Ritchie's The Gentlemen, according to reports, despite claims that the offer had been withdrawn after an intense public backlash.
The Duchess of Sussex, who is due to return to the UK with Prince Harry and their children next month, was reported on Friday to have signed a seven-figure deal to join the Netflix action comedy, which stars Theo James and Kaya Scodelario. Hours later, reports suggested the offer had been scrapped because the backlash had made it 'untenable' to proceed.
However, new reports indicate that Meghan will indeed appear in the show. A source told The Sun: 'Her return to acting is expected to draw a large audience of both her supporters and critics, and is likely to make a lot of money. It will be seen as a major coup for whoever signs her.'
Netflix still keen but no formal agreement
The publication added that Netflix bosses are still keen to sign Meghan up for the show, but no formal agreement on her role has been reached. The 45-year-old was said to be discussing a role, with the part currently written for its as-yet-unannounced third season.
The initial announcement received 'public backlash', according to Tina Brown, a royal author and former editor of both Tatler and Vanity Fair. She wrote on X: 'I learned this morning the casting of Meghan in The Gentlemen has been withdrawn. The backlash in the UK was so intense, it became untenable. This does not bode well for Meghan's acting comeback in the UK.'
The Gentlemen plot and Meghan's previous career
In The Gentlemen, Theo James plays Eddie Horniman, the second son of the Duke of Halstead. After his father dies, he returns home for the funeral and learns he has inherited the title of Duke and the 500-year-old estate over his brother Freddy. He quickly discovers an underground cannabis farm run by the Glass family empire and turns rival gangsters against each other while guided by Susie Glass, played by Kaya Scodelario.
While Netflix is yet to comment on the reports, Meghan is understood to have met director Guy Ritchie through mutual acquaintances, although further details remain under wraps. Speaking in 2022, the Duchess insisted she had no plans to appear on the small screen again, telling Variety of her acting career: 'I'm done. I guess never say never, but my intention is to absolutely not.'
Prior to her relationship with Harry, Meghan was best known for playing Rachel Zane in the US legal drama Suits, featuring for seven seasons before her final episode aired in 2018. It was revealed last week that the couple will leave behind their life in Montecito, California, to head back to the UK, six years after their decision to step away from royal life. The couple will live in a non-royal residence outside of London and have already enrolled Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet in British schools.
