Meghan Markle’s possible return to acting has already generated plenty of attention, but industry experts are questioning whether the rumored opportunity was ever close to becoming a reality. Reports recently claimed the Duchess of Sussex was in preliminary discussions with Guy Ritchie about appearing in a potential third season of Netflix’s “The Gentlemen.”
However, no contract has been announced, Netflix has not renewed the series for another season and conflicting reports have emerged about whether the opportunity has already disappeared. The uncertainty has led several public relations experts to suggest that news of the talks may have been leaked to portray Meghan as an in-demand actress ahead of her reported return to the United Kingdom.
5Reports linking Meghan to the British crime drama emerged shortly after news broke that she, Prince Harry and their children were preparing to relocate to the United Kingdom for an indefinite period.
Variety reported that the former “Suits” actress was in very early discussions about joining a potential third season of “The Gentlemen.” The outlet stressed that no contract was in place and that Meghan’s possible character had not been identified.
The timing immediately attracted attention because “The Gentlemen” is filmed in the United Kingdom and Meghan is reportedly preparing to live outside London with Harry, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
The series stars Theo James and Kaya Scodelario, with its second season scheduled to premiere next month. Netflix has not officially ordered a third installment.
PR Expert Questions The Timing Of The Rumor
5Public relations expert Mark Borkowski believes the timing may have been designed to attract attention during a slower August news cycle. “The timing of this has an ulterior motive to do what it’s doing, to generate as much attention as possible without saying anything at all,” Borkowski told the Daily Mail.
Addressing whether the rumor could have been deliberately circulated, he added, “It’s totally plausible because there’s not been a single quote from the production, so they’re enjoying all the publicity, it’s good for them.” “So there must have been, even if it was a stunt, a tacit arrangement that they were going to do this between publicists. What a good idea for everybody that we bask in the glow of attention.”
Meghan Markle’s Acting Rumors May Be Testing Public Reaction
5Borkowski suggested the reports could help the Sussexes measure public reaction to Meghan’s potential return without committing to a project. “There was a sort of denial that she was being given the part, but she’s got enough contacts in Netflix to do this. So everything feels like a series of pseudo events,” he said.
The expert continued, “We know that the press in August is lighter, Parliament isn’t sitting, so they’ve actually got their own Bayeux Tapestry weaving various narratives without saying anything. It does strike me that they’re having a good old time raising awareness, trying the media and getting instant feedback. It’s a free marketing overview for their brand, it’s research.”
Experts Explain Hollywood’s ‘Trial Balloon’ Strategy
5Sean O’Meara, managing director of PR and content consultancy Essential Content, said representatives sometimes leak tentative developments before any deal has been completed. The tactic is commonly described as “kite flying” or releasing a “trial balloon.” It allows representatives to test public interest, put pressure on another party or attract competing opportunities.
“Showbiz agents and political advisors are not unfamiliar with this technique. Anyone who follows football closely will know that agents regularly leak news of ‘interest’ or ‘discussions’ in players they represent to either force the hand of another party or to generate more interest in that player,” O’Meara explained.
He warned that the strategy carries a risk when negotiations do not lead to a signed contract. “This situation is tricky for Meghan,” he said. “She may well be in talks over a role in ‘The Gentleman.’ All of the coverage about it so far may be technically true.”
“Execs may be monitoring the leaks to determine whether it’s a good idea to move ahead,” he added. “But until the ink on the contract is dry, there’s always a chance things won’t pan out as planned and the leaked rumours will backfire. And of course, if the talks stall, many will wonder if it was a PR stunt.”
PR expert Andy Barr similarly described the leaking of supposed industry interest as the “oldest trick in the book that talent looking for work use.” “I doubt that Meghan herself is sat there briefing media reporters that she has been approached, but this has the fingerprints of her very media-savvy US-based team all over it,” Barr said.
Tina Brown Claims The Role Was Withdrawn
5The speculation took another turn when royal author Tina Brown claimed Meghan’s potential casting had already been abandoned. “I learned that the casting of Meghan Markle has been withdrawn. The backlash was so intense it became untenable to go forward,” Brown wrote. “This does not bode well for Meghan’s acting comeback.”
Brown’s assertion has not been confirmed by Netflix, Ritchie or Meghan’s representatives. Other entertainment reports have maintained that the discussions remain active, leaving the status of the potential role unclear. At this point, the only firmly established details are that Meghan was reportedly in early discussions, no contract had been signed and Netflix has not formally renewed “The Gentlemen” for a third season.
