Meghan Markle's Role in 'The Gentlemen' Denied by Production Insiders

Insiders connected to Guy Ritchie's series "The Gentlemen" have refuted allegations that Netflix strategically used the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, to promote the show's recent season. The claims suggested that the streaming service revealed potential involvement from Markle to enhance ratings.

However, individuals associated with the production team have rejected these assertions. "This is not a show in need of stunt casting," a show insider told The Times. This statement comes after reports surfaced in August from the Hollywood entertainment website Deadline, indicating that Markle was in preliminary discussions for a role in the third season of the Netflix crime drama.

The timing of these discussions was notable, emerging just two days after reports of Markle and Prince Harry's indefinite return to Britain with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Less than a day after the talks were disclosed, they were reportedly abandoned due to significant viewer backlash, according to Tina Brown, former editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair and The New Yorker.

Two months later, friends of the Duchess claimed she was "used to help promote" the second season of "The Gentlemen," which premiered recently and stars Theo James and Kaya Scodelario. A source indicated that Markle's potential involvement was leveraged to bolster publicity, especially as they believed the second season was not as strong as the first and a third had already been commissioned. "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 source told The Telegraph.

This situation reportedly left a "sour taste" in the Sussex camp, with the source suggesting Netflix "got what it wanted" – publicity and increased viewership for the new season. Official ratings indicated that "The Gentlemen" saw a drop of approximately 15 percent in viewership from its debut season, which garnered 3.5 million viewers in March 2024. The first episode of the second season attracted around three million viewers in the UK a week after its release.

Questions have also been raised about whether Markle was ever seriously considered for a role. According to The Sun, series creator Guy Ritchie responded with skepticism when Markle's name was first mentioned, reportedly stating, "Really?" and "Not a chance" when asked about her realistic chances of appearing.

Meghan and Harry's relationship with Netflix may also be impacted by the departure of Bela Bajaria. The Duchess had a five-year, $100 million deal with Netflix initiated in 2020, which lapsed last year after her lifestyle show, "With Love, Meghan," received mixed reviews and failed to reach the top ten in the UK or US. A Netflix consultant noted that their "biggest champion has gone" and expressed uncertainty about future support for their projects.

Before her marriage to Prince Harry, Markle starred as Rachel Zane for seven seasons in the popular US legal drama "Suits." She paused her acting career after her final episode in 2018. In 2022, she told Variety magazine, "I'm done. I guess never say never but my intention is absolutely not" to return to acting. However, she has recently taken on small roles, including a cameo in the upcoming film "Close Personal Friends" and appeared as a guest judge on "MasterChef Australia."

Another source stated that Markle is "very cautious" about reading scripts for acting opportunities due to the potential for leaks, acknowledging that any project she is involved in would "attract huge interest" and could lead to significant financial gains for studios.

The Duchess of Sussex and Netflix have been approached for comment.