Meghan Markle was reportedly eyed for a role in season three of Guy Ritchie’s Netflix series The Gentlemen, before industry reports claimed the casting had been withdrawn following intense U.K. backlash. Representatives for Markle, Netflix, and WME declined to comment on the developing situation.
The possibility of a high-profile return to television for the Duchess of Sussex surfaced when reports indicated she was in advanced discussions to join the British-filmed crime drama for its third season. The project would mark her most significant acting role since she stepped away from her career in 2017 ahead of her marriage to Prince Harry.
Early Talks and Potential Production Timelines for Season Three
Discussions regarding Markle joining the ensemble remained preliminary. Netflix has not yet officially renewed the series for a third season, though industry observers consider a renewal likely as the second season prepares to premiere on September 3. Producers have not yet identified a specific character, according to trade reporting.
The series, created by Guy Ritchie, takes place in the same fictional universe as his 2019 feature film of the same name. It stars Theo James as Eddie and Kaya Scodelario as Susie, following their navigation of an international criminal enterprise. Ritchie writes the series alongside Matthew Read and produces it through Moonage Pictures and Miramax Television for Netflix.
Tina Brown Reports Withdrawal Following Intense U.K. Backlash
The trajectory of the reported casting shifted when author and journalist Tina Brown published a column on Substack stating that the arrangement had been called off. Brown, a former editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair and The New Yorker, wrote that she learned the decision followed severe public resistance.
“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this morning that the casting of Meghan Markle in season 3 of Guy Ritchie’s Netflix series The Gentlemen has been withdrawn.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 untenable to go forward. This does not bode well for Meghan’s acting comeback in the UK.”
Tina Brown, former editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair and The New Yorker, via Hollywoodreporter
Representatives for Markle, Netflix, and WME—the agency representing both Markle and Ritchie—did not provide comment when contacted by trade publications. Brown maintained that she stands by her reporting.
Broader Context of Professional Projects and Relocation Plans
The casting discussions coincided with announcements regarding the couple’s living arrangements. Markle and Prince Harry, who relocated to California in 2020, recently revealed plans to return to the United Kingdom for an extended period. Brown reported that the potential acting project served as a significant factor in shaping the timing of that move.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex maintain an established relationship with Netflix through Archewell Productions. Their prior collaborations include the documentary series Harry & Meghan, along with programs such as Polo and With Love, Meghan. Their initial multi-year agreement transitioned into a first-look deal for film and television projects.
Beyond her streaming work, Markle recently made a cameo appearance in the Amazon MGM Studios film Close Personal Friends, which filmed in Pasadena, California. Whether the negotiations for The Gentlemen will resume or remain shelved depends entirely on formal renewal decisions from Netflix and subsequent casting updates from production teams.
