Friends of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, have claimed she was 'used' by Netflix to promote its hit thriller, The Gentlemen. The 45-year-old former actress and media personality, known for her role in the legal drama Suits, left Hollywood behind when she married Prince Harry.
Living in America with her family in recent years, she launched a lifestyle brand, As Ever, which came with its own Netflix series that has since been cancelled. In a surprise decision, she, her husband, and their two children have recently moved back to the UK.
Talks over third season
In August, reports emerged about the couple's move, with claims that the Duchess wanted to return to her acting roots. With The Gentlemen season two on the horizon, it was said that the former screen star was in 'advanced talks' to join the Guy Ritchie drama for a future third season. Ultimately, discussions are understood to have fallen through after immense public scrutiny over the potential gig.
Claims of a marketing ploy
Now friends are claiming the rumours were purposefully leaked. Insiders believe she was 'used' to bolster the show ahead of its release, where it struggled to reach the viewing highs of the first season. According to Deadline, viewing figures dropped by 15% compared to the season one debut, in the form of 500k viewers.
A source told The Telegraph: 'Some people in her camp feel she was used to help promote season two, because they knew it wasn't as good as the first season and had already commissioned a third.'
They continued: 'It's the oldest marketing trick in the book: get a big name to read a script, then leak that you're "in conversation" with them when, in reality, nothing is particularly far along.'
Impact on the Sussex camp
'The whole thing left a bit of a sour taste in the Sussex camp's mouth. Needless to say, Netflix got what it wanted: huge viewing figures for season two and a lot of publicity,' the source added.
There is no further official word on when or what Meghan's acting comeback might be, if she decides to pursue it at all, considering the potential for public backlash. The couple have had a rocky return to the UK, with difficulties already arising around their children's schooling. They recently made their first official public outing as they greeted waiting fans in Nottingham, although there was reportedly some heckling as well. Metro has reached out to Netflix for comment.
