Reports indicate that an offer for Meghan Markle to take on an acting role in director Guy Ritchie's Netflix series, "The Gentlemen," has been withdrawn. The decision reportedly followed a strong negative backlash in the United Kingdom.
Royal author Tina Brown is cited as reporting that the offer became untenable to proceed with due to the intense public reaction in Britain, suggesting this is not a positive sign for any potential acting comeback for Markle in the UK. The series, a spin-off of Ritchie's 2019 film, is set in and around the Cotswolds and involves themes of crime and aristocracy. The first season, which aired in 2024, focused on an aristocrat inheriting a family estate that houses a cannabis empire.
Meghan and her husband, Prince Harry, are reportedly planning to return to the UK in September for their children to begin school. This news followed earlier reports that Markle was in discussions to revive her acting career with Ritchie, known for films such as "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" and "Snatch." Ritchie's recent work includes the Netflix series "The Gentlemen," based on his film of the same name.
The nature of the role and the content of the series have drawn commentary. Descriptions of the original film "The Gentlemen" include graphic scenes, and the series has been noted for its depiction of violence. Some observers have suggested that casting Markle in such a project might be perceived as an attempt to leverage her public profile for the show's success, rather than an artistic endeavor. Concerns have been raised that her involvement could overshadow the content, turning the viewing experience into a "freak show" rather than an appreciation of art, especially given the intense public scrutiny of her and Prince Harry's lives.
This reported opportunity comes as Markle is also said to be making a cameo appearance in the upcoming film "Close Personal Friends." The author of the notes expressed the opinion that Markle might be "cruelly used" if she pursued such roles, suggesting they are more suited for actors seeking to meet financial obligations or gain recognition, and that her position in the line of succession makes her above such ventures.