Meghan Markle is reportedly no longer being considered for a role in Guy Ritchie's Netflix series "The Gentlemen" following significant backlash in the United Kingdom, according to royal biographer Tina Brown.
Brown, former editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair and The New Yorker, stated on her Substack that the casting of Markle for season 3 of the British action-comedy series has been withdrawn. "The backlash in the UK was so intense, it became untenable to go forward," Brown wrote, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. "This does not bode well for Meghan’s acting comeback in the UK."
The report of Markle's casting consideration emerged Friday, indicating early talks for her potential involvement. A role in "The Gentlemen" would have marked Markle's first acting engagement since marrying Prince Harry and joining the royal family in 2018. She stepped down from royal duties in 2020 and has since pursued various projects, including streaming content, podcasts, and lifestyle ventures.
Markle's potential return to acting comes amid reports that she and Prince Harry were planning to relocate their family back to England by the end of the month. The couple, who signed a multi-project deal with Netflix after leaving England in 2020, previously released the docuseries "Harry & Meghan" in 2022, which offered a critical perspective on palace life. Last year, they entered into a new "first-look" agreement with Netflix, described as a downgrade from their initial deal.
Prior to stepping back from royal duties, Markle starred in the legal drama "Suits" before departing in 2018.