Netflix has rejected claims from Meghan Markle's camp that she was 'used' to promote the crime drama series The Gentlemen, following speculation that she would join the cast. A source close to the production dismissed the suggestion, telling The Times: "This is not a show in need of stunt casting."
Rumours of Meghan's casting denied
In the weeks before the Duchess of Sussex moved back to the UK, speculation grew that she would return to acting with a role in the show. Talks of her debut have since been shut down, with a friend of Meghan's claiming she believed she was 'used' to 'help promote' the second series, which aired as the rumours emerged.
A friend of Meghan's told the Telegraph that the Duchess's fame, and news of her return to Britain, were used by the Netflix programme to generate buzz for the second series. "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 [series]," a source told the publication.
Source claims 'oldest marketing trick'
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."
"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."
Viewing figures from Barb, the official ratings agency, show audiences dropped by around 15 per cent from the first series' debut episode, streamed by 3.5 million people in March 2024. Figures declined by 500,000 for the latest series.
Guy Ritchie rules out Meghan appearance
Director Guy Ritchie was reportedly unimpressed by the talks about Meghan joining the cast. "Really?" was his first response to the speculation, with a source telling The Sun that the 58-year-old ruled out any future appearances by Meghan, saying: "Not a chance."
While a Meghan appearance on The Gentlemen is unlikely, a source close to the Duchess recently told Hello! Magazine that she is ready to 'stick her head above the parapet' and consider acting work in the UK, while remaining committed to her charity work and her lifestyle brand As Ever.
The friend said: "Her diary is full. It's the kids, As Ever, acting and then supporting good causes in whatever time she has left over. But she's got a really good team around As Ever, the children are a bit older, they are both in school full time."
"They've got the kids settled. Archie and Lili are really enjoying school. She is able to now stick her head above the parapet a little bit more. It's a case of having a little bit more time to re-look at her original career, her vocation as an actor."
The insider continued: "She's looking at loads of acting offers. She's meeting a lot of writers and creatives, and reading a lot of scripts. If there's anything that stands out as being amazing, then then she'll do it."
If Meghan landed a new acting role, it would be her first high-profile acting job since appearing in the US legal drama Suits, where she played paralegal Rachel Zane. She also made guest appearances on shows including CSI: Miami and 90210, but said she had retired from acting in 2018 when she married Harry.
