Meghan Markle's anticipated return to acting appears to be definitively over, as Netflix announced the cast for the third season of The Gentlemen, and the Duchess of Sussex was noticeably absent from the list. The streaming giant revealed an impressive line-up of A-listers joining the hit crime drama for its upcoming instalment.
Hollywood heavyweights including Lord of the Rings stars Orlando Bloom and Elijah Wood, as well as Robert Carlyle, Dexter Fletcher, and Bugzy Malone, are all confirmed to be stepping into Guy Ritchie's gritty underworld, as per Deadline. They will join returning fan-favourites Theo James and Kaya Scodelario, who play Eddie Horniman and Susie Glass, as production officially gets under way.
Rumours of Meghan's Return Squashed
The announcement comes just weeks after intense speculation suggested the former Suits star was gearing up for a triumphant return to the screens. Rumours swirled that Meghan was locked in talks with casting directors for a major role, which supposedly coincided with her and Prince Harry's recent return to the UK.
Friends of the Duchess recently launched a scathing attack on the streaming platform, accusing Netflix of "using" Meghan's name as a PR stunt to drum up publicity for the show's second series. Speaking to the Telegraph, a source claimed: "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."
Netflix Defends Casting Strategy
The source added: "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." They added that the ordeal had left a "bit of a sour taste in the Sussex camp's mouth," claiming Netflix ultimately got exactly what it wanted—huge viewing figures and relentless global publicity off the back of the Duchess's royal status.
But Netflix bosses hit back at the bombshell claims, dismissing the notion that the series needed to piggyback on Meghan's fame. Speaking to the Times, a show insider said: "This is not a show in need of stunt casting."
Production Underway for Season Three
With filming for season three now underway across London and Morocco, the new episodes will follow Eddie and Susie as they embark on a plan to build a casino in the Middle East. The new cast members, including Robert Carlyle, Elijah Wood, Orlando Bloom, Dexter Fletcher, Bruna Marquezine, Ed Speleers, Saffron Burrows, and Bugzy Malone, will join the returning leads as production continues.
