Maya Jama has reportedly signed on for the third season of Guy Ritchie's Netflix series, "The Gentlemen." This news comes as cast members have downplayed rumors that Meghan Markle might join the show.
Jama, 32, made her scripted acting debut in the second season, portraying Aisha, the wife of a criminal associate of Eddie Horniman, the character played by Theo James. According to reports, Jama confirmed her return for the upcoming third season at a premiere event earlier this week. A source told The Sun that Jama was "great in season two and bosses will be glad to see her back for the third series. She's pulled in even more viewers and was a natural on set."
Jama shared that director Guy Ritchie was reassuring during filming. "He doesn't feel as intimidating as you'd think, being who he is," she said. "He's very personable and he would be like, 'Yeah, you're doing well,' and reassure me, which was really nice. He's just really involved and kind of a genius to watch, because everyone's practising their lines and then he says something that's way better than the original."
The upcoming season is expected to feature James's character, Eddie, as he attempts to regain full control of his estate while navigating the Glass family's empire. A glimpse of the new series shows Eddie stating, "400 years ago, this estate spread out as far as the eye could see. I want it all back." However, his ambition is complicated by drug baron Bobby, who is aware of Eddie and Susie's plans to expand their criminal enterprise and discusses their potential involvement in "decriminalizing marijuana."
Meanwhile, cast members have largely dismissed speculation about the Duchess of Sussex potentially joining the series. British actor Vinnie Jones described the rumors as "hot air," adding, "We've got a lot of pretty women in this series, so I'm not sure there's room for any more."
Theo James joked about the rumors, saying, "No. Prince Harry is playing one of my love interests. So that's the Meghan Markle thing." He later clarified that while she "hasn't given up hope" and "she'd fit in well because she's actually from the Royal Family," he considers the rumors "spurious" and the practicalities "impossible."
Ray Winstone commented, "It's the first I've heard of it," but suggested she would be a "better-looking" addition than himself. Hugh Bonneville dismissed the idea as "a genius bit of marketing by the person who dreamt up that idea." Jama herself stated, "I’d be the last person to know."
Guy Ritchie did not give interviews on the red carpet where he might have addressed rumors of preliminary talks with Markle for the third series.