A friend of Meghan Markle claims Netflix “used” the Duchess to drive publicity for the second season of Guy Ritchie’s “The Gentlemen.”
The allegation surfaced in an interview with an unnamed pal close to Markle, 45, who said Sussex camp insiders believe the streaming giant deliberately stoked casting rumors knowing the show needed a boost. “Some people in her camp feel she was used to help promote season two, because they knew it wasn’t as good as the first season and had already commissioned a third,” the friend told the outlet.
The same source described the tactic as a familiar Hollywood ploy. “It’s the oldest marketing trick in the book: get a big name to read a script, then leak that you’re ‘in conversation’ with them when, in reality, nothing is particularly far along,” the pal added.
The fallout has reportedly left Markle’s circle frustrated. “The whole thing left a bit of a sour taste in the Sussex camp’s mouth,” the friend shared, adding that “Netflix got what it wanted: huge viewing figures for season two and a lot of publicity.”
The controversy traces back to summer reports that Markle was in talks for Season 3 of the action-comedy series. Deadline first reported the speculation in June, noting that discussions were underway ahead of Markle’s return to the UK. Netflix scripted chief Manda Levin amplified the buzz during an August appearance at the Edinburgh TV Festival, offering a coy non-denial when asked directly about the mom of two joining the cast. “All bets are off,” Levin replied.
Yet the outlet later reported exclusively that Markle never received a formal offer at all. “She took it as an offer. And it wasn’t,” one insider told the outlet. “And [she and husband Prince Harry] thought it would be helpful in the moment for there to be a reason for their move.” The source indicated that Markle, 45, and Prince Harry, 42, saw potential strategic value in the UK return narrative.
Another source offered a slightly different account, saying that while no formal offer materialized, initial interest in the As Ever founder joining the cast came from Ritchie, 58, himself.
Markle’s acting resume predates her royal chapter. She played Rachel Zane for seven seasons on the legal drama “Suits” from 2011 to 2018, and appeared in films including “Remember Me” and “Horrible Bosses.” She stepped back from acting after her 2017 engagement to Harry. Last year, reports surfaced that she had landed a role in “Close Personal Friends,” an ensemble project featuring Brie Larson, Lily Collins, Jack Quaid and Henry Golding.
The “With Love, Meghan” star has not publicly addressed the casting controversy. Reps for both Netflix and Markle did not immediately respond to the outlet requests for comment.
The rumors gained enough traction that series star Theo James felt compelled to weigh in, publicly dismissing the speculation as “hot air.” Maya Jama, another cast member, has since confirmed her own return for the show’s third season.
Markle continues to build her lifestyle brand As Ever while navigating periodic returns to on-camera work.