Meghan Markle was rumoured to be joining the Netflix series The Gentlemen (Image: Getty)
Reports have claimed that Meghan Markle’s friends accused Guy Ritchie of “using” her to promote his Netflix series The Gentlemen. That scenario seems unlikely, however, particularly because there is little evidence that Meghan was ever officially cast. Even during her time on Suits, she often appeared more focused on building her public profile than pursuing a wider range of acting opportunities. In August, it was claimed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s return to the UK was partly connected to Meghan being offered a role in the hit drama’s third season. Royal author Tina Brown later said the reported casting was abandoned after the reaction to Meghan’s involvement became too intense.
“I learned that the casting of Meghan Markle has been withdrawn,” she said, claiming that the backlash had made the decision “untenable” for the production.
The claims could simply have been part of a publicity campaign. Ritchie has denied the rumours, and his previous work offers little indication that Meghan would be a natural choice for one of his projects. The director is known for gritty productions and often works with performers who bring a distinctive edge—qualities Meghan has not notably displayed on screen.
Although Ritchie has occasionally embraced stunt casting, Meghan’s credibility as an actress has arguably been affected by her decision to join the Royal Family.
Even while appearing on Suits, she seemed to devote considerable energy to developing her identity as a lifestyle personality through her blog, The Tig, rather than taking on additional acting roles.
Guy Ritchie has reportedly faced criticism from Meghan Markle’s friends (Image: Getty)
Actors commonly use the gaps between television series to pursue other roles, strengthening their CVs while retaining the stability of a regular part.
Meghan’s apparent emphasis on promoting herself as a public figure, rather than expanding her acting portfolio, may offer an insight into the direction she chose to take.
By marrying Harry, she became a global household name in her own right. Yet that extraordinary level of fame may also make a return to acting more difficult if she ever decides to pursue one.
Unless they are stars such as Tom Cruise or Margot Robbie, actors are not usually expected to overwhelm a filmmaker’s creative project with their celebrity status.
That is one reason many performers try to keep their personal lives private, or at least carefully managed. When every aspect of a celebrity’s life becomes part of the public conversation, their personal brand can overshadow the work itself.
Casting Meghan today would present an additional challenge because many viewers might struggle to see her as a character separate from her identity as Harry’s wife.
She is also a divisive public figure, following controversial comments about her in-laws and other decisions that have attracted criticism.
As a result, including her in a production could risk alienating viewers who feel strongly enough about her to avoid a project featuring her, regardless of its quality.
Even Grace Kelly, an in-demand, Oscar-winning actress at the height of her career, did not return to the screen after marrying Prince Rainier III of Monaco and becoming an internationally recognised royal.
Against that backdrop, the idea that a director would view Meghan—whose acting career never reached comparable heights and whose public profile carries considerable baggage—as an obvious casting success seems difficult to accept.