Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, is reportedly no longer under consideration for a role in the third season of Guy Ritchie’s Netflix series The Gentlemen, following what has been described as an intense public reaction in the UK.
It came just a day after there were rumors that the ex-Suits actor was negotiating an appearance on the crime drama show. This news, which seemed to be a promising move in her return to television shows, turned out to be just another casting story that did not even get off the ground.
Former Vanity Fair and New Yorker editor Tina Brown said she had learned that Meghan’s proposed casting had been withdrawn.
“I learned this morning that the casting of Meghan Markle in season 3 of Guy Ritchie’s Netflix series The Gentlemen has been withdrawn,” Brown wrote.
She attributed the decision to the reaction in Britain, saying the backlash had become “so intense” that moving ahead was no longer considered viable.
Brown later wrote on X that the role was “OFF” and suggested the episode did not bode well for Meghan’s acting comeback in the UK.
The original casting was never official
That distinction is important.
Before reports of the apparent withdrawal surfaced, Variety had described Meghan as being in discussions to join the third season. The casting had not been officially finalized, according to reports citing the entertainment publication.
There is another layer of uncertainty. Season three of The Gentlemen itself had yet to receive an official greenlight when the casting reports emerged. The Guardian reported that Meghan was being considered for the new season while noting that the next installment had not yet been formally approved.
This implies that the case is not about the public removal of a member from an already established production. Rather, it revolves around negotiations regarding a season which is yet to be officially confirmed.
The reports reviewed also do not contain an official announcement from Netflix confirming that Meghan had joined the cast and was subsequently removed.
Tina Brown stands by her account
Brown remains the central source behind the claim that the proposed casting was withdrawn.
News.com.au reported that The Hollywood Reporter subsequently carried Brown’s claims and contacted her directly. Brown told the publication that she “stands by her reporting.”
A separate report cited by news.com.au added another version of events. The Telegraph was said to understand that the potential deal could collapse following the reaction to Meghan’s involvement, with the reported reservations attributed to Netflix rather than the programme’s production team. That account, too, was presented as reporting rather than an official statement from the streamer.
News.com.au said it had contacted representatives for the Duchess of Sussex for comment.
A closely watched acting return
The attention surrounding the proposed role was partly driven by Meghan’s history on television.
Before marrying Prince Harry, she was best known for playing Rachel Zane in the legal drama Suits, appearing in the series for seven seasons. Her earlier television work also included appearances in CSI: NY and 90210, while her film credits included Horrible Bosses and Anti-Social.
The Guardian also reported that Meghan had recently filmed a cameo as herself in the Amazon comedy Close Personal Friends, alongside Brie Larson and Jack Quaid.
A role in The Gentlemen, however, would have carried a different level of attention because it was being presented in several reports as part of a broader return to acting.
Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers told Today that Meghan had hoped the role would mark her official acting return. He questioned where the reported backlash had come from, while also saying industry figures still regarded her as a major name who could attract other offers.
What happens next remains unclear
The Gentlemen is Guy Ritchie’s television spin-off from his 2019 crime comedy film of the same name. The original movie starred Matthew McConaughey and Charlie Hunnam, with Ritchie behind both the film and its television adaptation.
For now, the most significant part of the Meghan casting story may be how little had actually become official before reports of its collapse began circulating.
There had been discussions about Meghan joining the series. Brown says the casting was subsequently withdrawn because of the UK reaction. Other outlets have reported similar concerns. But the supplied reports do not establish that Netflix had publicly announced Meghan as a cast member, and the third season itself had not yet received an official greenlight when the original story broke.
Until Netflix confirms or clarifies anything more, the supposed withdrawal will remain just that, a supposedly changed approach to a casting process which, until now, has yet to even be officially announced.
Also Read: YouTube’s New View Rule Explained: Will Creators Earn More?
