Meghan Markle's reported acting return in *The Gentlemen* and its withdrawal due to backlash
Consensus Summary
Meghan Markle was reportedly in discussions to join the third season of *The Gentlemen*, a Netflix series spun off from Guy Ritchie’s 2019 film, marking her first major acting role since her marriage to Prince Harry in 2018. The role was linked to her planned return to the UK with Harry and their children, Prince Archie (seven) and Princess Lilibet (five), after six years in the US. However, both *The Guardian* and *7News* later reported the casting was withdrawn due to intense backlash in the UK, with royal expert Tina Brown claiming the reaction made the role untenable. Meghan’s previous Netflix deal, signed in 2020 for a reported $100m, was renewed last year, but her acting career has faced criticism, including a one-star review for her series *With Love, Meghan*. The withdrawal leaves her acting comeback in doubt, despite earlier excitement about her return to the screen.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Meghan Markle was reportedly in talks to join the third season of *The Gentlemen* (Netflix series) as her acting return
- The third season of *The Gentlemen* has not yet received an official greenlight
- *The Gentlemen* is a spin-off from the 2019 crime comedy film of the same name, created by Guy Ritchie
- Meghan Markle played Rachel Zane in *Suits* for seven seasons
- Meghan Markle’s Netflix deal with Harry was originally signed in 2020, reportedly worth $100m, and renewed last year
- Meghan Markle’s Netflix series *With Love, Meghan* received a one-star review from *The Guardian*
- Meghan Markle’s children, Prince Archie (seven) and Princess Lilibet (five), are part of the Sussex family
- Meghan Markle’s acting career included roles in *CSI: NY*, *90210*, *Horrible Bosses*, and 2015’s *Anti-Social*
- Meghan Markle’s reported acting comeback was linked to her planned return to the UK with Harry and their children
- The backlash over Meghan Markle’s reported casting in *The Gentlemen* was described as intense in the UK
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Meghan Markle’s role in *The Gentlemen* was as-yet-unknown, with no official announcement or contract in place
- Meghan Markle’s Netflix deal was renewed last year after the original 2020 deal
- Meghan Markle’s return to the UK was expected in September, six years after relocating to the US
- Meghan Markle’s cameo in *Close Personal Friends* was filmed recently
- King Charles was reportedly informed last Sunday of Harry and Meghan’s return to Britain
- Meghan Markle’s *With Love, Meghan* received a one-star review with the quote 'toe-curling stuff'
- Meghan Markle’s first season of *The Gentlemen* was a hit, with the second season premiering in September
- Meghan Markle’s acting career included two Hallmark movies: *When Sparks Fly* and *Dater’s Handbook*
- Tina Brown, former *Vanity Fair* editor, claimed Meghan Markle’s casting in *The Gentlemen* was withdrawn due to backlash
- The backlash was described as making the casting 'untenable'
- The *Hollywood Reporter* and *The Telegraph* also reported the potential withdrawal of the role
- Meghan Markle’s acting career ended after marrying Harry in 2018
- The couple’s relocation to the UK was expected within days of the backlash reports
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- The *Guardian* states Meghan Markle was in talks for the third season of *The Gentlemen*, while *7News* and *Guardian* both later report the role was withdrawn due to backlash
- The *Guardian* mentions Meghan Markle’s return to the UK was expected in September, but *7News* states the move was imminent within days
- The *Guardian* says the Netflix deal was renewed last year, but does not specify the renewal terms, while *7News* does not mention renewal details
Source Articles
Meghan reportedly in talks to join Guy Ritchie’s TV series The Gentlemen
The Duchess of Sussex is said to be discussing a return to acting in the third season of Netflix’s hit crime series The Duchess of Sussex is in talks to make her acting return in Netflix’s hit series The Gentlemen. According to Variety , Meghan is in discussions to join the third season which has yet to receive an official greenlight. The Gentlemen is a spin-off from the 2019 crime comedy of the same name with Guy Ritchie acting as creator of both. Continue reading...
Meghan Markle Netflix acting comeback ‘withdrawn’ after backlash over The Gentlemen role
Meghan Markle’s highly anticipated acting comeback has taken a brutal turn.
Meghan’s casting in The Gentlemen reportedly withdrawn
Duchess of Sussex was believed to have been under consideration for season three of Guy Ritchie’s crime caper The Duchess of Sussex’s reported casting in Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen has been withdrawn, it was reported. Tina Brown, the former editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair and the New Yorker, wrote on Saturday: “I learned this morning that the casting of Meghan Markle in season 3 of Guy Ritchie’s Netflix series The Gentlemen has been withdrawn. The backlash in the UK was so intense, it became unt
More Entertainment stories
Trial of Duane 'Keffe D' Davis for orchestrating Tupac Shakur's 1996 murder
Death of actress Hayden Panettiere at age 36 investigated amid abuse allegations and addiction struggles
Death of Johnny Young, creator and host of Young Talent Time, aged 79
ABC apologizes after Gina Rinehart controversy over *Race Around the World* episode
Ralph Carr convicted of rape; suppression order lifted after three-year legal battle
Ariana Grande steps back from public life amid scrutiny over health and appearance
Latest cross-verified stories
Alan Jones on trial for indecent assault and sexual touching charges
Sydney Swans players linked to sexual assault allegations and club sanctions
Shark attack survivor Leah Stewart’s recovery and Australia’s bird flu outbreak
One Nation’s inconsistent migration policy targets spark political debate
Mark McVeigh appointed as Essendon’s new senior coach after selection process
US-Canada trade war escalates after failed negotiations and retaliatory tariffs
Browse all stories from August 2026 in the archive.