The Gentlemen has suffered a significant drop in UK viewership for its second season, coinciding with reports that Meghan Markle was in talks to join the cast. According to the latest figures from BARB, the UK's official audience measurement service, the first episode of season two was watched by roughly 3 million people in its first seven days—a drop of around 15% from the 3.5 million who watched the debut episode in March 2024.
Global viewing figures also down
Deadline reports that the newest series garnered 6.7 million views globally in its first four days, almost half of what the first season managed during its opening weekend. The decline follows rumours that the Duchess of Sussex would appear in the confirmed third instalment, despite having previously vowed to retire from acting.
Meghan was reportedly in advanced talks to take a role in a future season of the Guy Ritchie series before she and Prince Harry relocated to Britain last month with their two children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five. It was also reported that the acting offer played a major role in the Sussexes' decision to return, six years after they left the UK for California in 2020.
Backlash and cast reactions
In less than 24 hours, The Gentlemen season three was thrown into chaos following public backlash. Tina Brown, a former editor of Vanity Fair, claimed that the offer "has been withdrawn due to a public backlash."
Actor Ray Winstone, who stars in the Netflix crime drama, was asked about the rumours on the Romesh Ranganathan podcast and responded simply "who," before adding: "I've never met her." When comedian Romesh suggested Meghan had been tipped to resume her acting career in the next series, Ray replied: "What, in The Gentlemen? Oh, shut up. I don't think so."
Fellow stars Theo and Kaya Scodelario were also asked about the Duchess's addition during an interview with the Press Association. Theo said: "Those kind of big, spurious rumours, I mean, I had heard one that Harry was going to join." Kaya initially thought he was referring to Harry Styles before Theo confirmed he meant Prince Harry, adding: "We should just start making ones up. Shows how little I know; I thought he was telling the truth."
