Meghan Markle’s acting comeback has seen more twists and turns than a Netflix series.
Reports that the Duchess of Sussex, who is returning to the UK with husband Prince Harry and their children next month, had signed a deal to appear in season three of Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen emerged on Friday, marking a highly-anticipated acting comeback for the former Suits star.
But the offer, worth a reported seven figures, was seemingly scrapped just hours later due to ‘intense’ backlash, making it ‘untenable’ to move forward.
However, reports are now suggesting that Meghan will indeed appear in the action comedy, which stars Theo James and Kaya Scodelario.
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.’
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.
But the announcement received ‘public backlash’, as alleged by Tina Brown, a royal author and the former editor of both Tatler and Vanity Fair, who is well-connected in US showbiz circles.
She wrote on X: ‘I learned this morning the casting of Meghan in The Gentlemen has been withdrawn.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.’
In The Gentlemen, Theo James plays Eddie Horniman, the second son of the Duke of Halstead.
But after never intending to inherit his father’s Dukedom, he attended Sandhurst and made a career in the British Army – sounds familiar, doesn’t it?
After his father dies he returns home for his funeral and learns he has inherited the title of Duke and the 500-year-old estate over his brother Freddy.
