Meghan Markle ‘Used’ by Netflix to Promote The Gentlemen Season 2 Amid Casting Rumors
Netflix has reportedly faced questions over speculation that Meghan Markle could join the cast of Guy Ritchie’s crime comedy series The Gentlemen. According to a report, people close to the Duchess of Sussex believed the rumors may have helped generate publicity for the show’s second season, despite uncertainty surrounding her potential involvement. However, the claims remain unconfirmed, and neither Netflix nor Markle has publicly verified the alleged concerns.
A friend of the Duchess reportedly told The Telegraph that some people in Markle’s circle felt she had been used as part of the promotional campaign for the series. The source suggested that the streaming platform may have benefited from the attention surrounding her possible casting, particularly as the second season followed the success of the first installment and a third season had reportedly already been commissioned.
The friend also described the situation as a familiar entertainment industry marketing tactic, in which a well-known name becomes associated with a production after preliminary discussions. According to the source, reports suggesting that a celebrity is “in conversation” with a production can generate considerable interest even when negotiations have not progressed very far. The source claimed that the situation left some people in the Sussex camp disappointed, while Netflix reportedly benefited from the additional media coverage and audience interest.
Representatives for Netflix and Markle were contacted by Page Six for comment, but no response had been received at the time of the report. Without confirmation from the parties involved, it remains unclear whether the rumors were deliberately encouraged as a promotional strategy or simply emerged from preliminary casting discussions.
Speculation about Markle’s possible involvement in The Gentlemen intensified during the summer, when Deadline reported that she was in talks to appear in the third season of the Netflix series. The reports attracted attention because a potential return to acting would mark a significant development in her professional career, particularly following her departure from regular acting work after becoming engaged to Prince Harry in 2017.
Netflix executive Manda Levin added to the speculation during the Edinburgh TV Festival in August. When asked about the possibility of Markle joining the action-comedy series, the scripted chief reportedly responded, “All bets are off.” Although the comment prompted further discussion, it did not confirm that Markle had secured a role or that formal negotiations were underway.
According to a previous exclusive report by Page Six, Markle had not received an official offer and had reportedly spoken with the show's casting director on just one occasion. An insider claimed that Markle may have interpreted the conversation as a potential offer, although the source maintained that no such offer had been made. The report also suggested that the possibility of a new acting opportunity could have been viewed as useful amid wider discussions about the Sussexes’ professional plans. These assertions have not been independently established.
Another source told Page Six that there had been no formal offer, while claiming that interest in Markle joining the production originated with director Guy Ritchie. The conflicting accounts highlight the difference between initial casting conversations, expressions of interest and a confirmed role. In the entertainment industry, early discussions do not necessarily lead to an agreement, and a celebrity’s involvement should not be treated as official until the production or the individual confirms it.
Markle became widely recognized for playing Rachel Zane in the legal drama Suits. She appeared in the series for seven seasons, from 2011 to 2018, building a substantial television profile before stepping away from her acting career. Her previous film credits include Remember Me and Horrible Bosses, giving her experience in both television and feature films.
More recently, reports have linked Markle to other entertainment projects. Last year, it was reported that she had secured a role in Close Personal Friends, a film featuring actors including Brie Larson, Lily Collins, Jack Quaid and Henry Golding. The reported casting attracted interest because it suggested that acting could again become part of her professional activities, alongside her business ventures and media projects.
Since marrying Prince Harry, Markle has pursued several opportunities outside traditional acting, including television production, lifestyle content and commercial ventures. Her Netflix series With Love, Meghan reflects her interest in lifestyle programming, while her brand As Ever focuses on consumer products. These projects have kept her connected to the entertainment and media industries, even as speculation continues about whether she will return to scripted television or film.
For now, the reports surrounding The Gentlemen remain a story of rumored casting discussions rather than a confirmed acting role. Until Netflix, Ritchie or Markle provides an official statement, claims that she was offered a part or deliberately used to promote the series should be treated as allegations attributed to unnamed sources, not established facts.
