Nine years after leaving her acting career behind to wed into the British Royal Family, Meghan Markle was recently rumored to be eyeing a return to the screen.
The claim surfaced amid reports that Meghan and her husband, former Prince Harry, were making an extended return to the U.K. alongside their two kids: Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5.
But her TV comeback has allegedly hit a roadblock, leading many netizens to speculate it was never real to begin with.
“How can something be off that never existed in the first place?” one user said.
Meghan Markle was allegedly set to feature in a popular Netflix drama
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On August 19, 2026, sources told the media that Harry and Meghan were relocating from California to the U.K., and that King Charles III had been made aware of their decision.
The insiders also said that Archie and Lilibet were already enrolled in a school in the U.K., starting classes when the school year begins in early September.
Days later, News.com.au reported that the Duchess of Sussex has been offered a role in an upcoming TV project based in the U.K., which would have been her first full-time acting gig since she left Suits in 2017.
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Shortly afterward, reports surfaced claiming the project was the third season of Guy Ritchie’s Netflix drama, The Gentlemen, starring Theo James and Kaya Scodelario.
The news was met with an incensed reception on social media, with many outright boycotting Meghan or any project she might be involved with.
“Whoever hires her is taking a real chance. I wouldn’t watch anything with her in it. I know she has fans, but surely that’s a pretty small number,” said one.
A few also took issue with the show’s main character’s arc being almost too similar to Harry’s real life.
In the series, Theo James plays Eddie Horniman, the second son of the Duke of Halstead, who serves in the British Army. He then unexpectedly inherits his late father’s title and estate over his older brother.
Public backlash has reportedly ruined Meghan Markle’s $1.36 million TV return
According to Royal Family journalist and The Diana Chronicles author Tina Brown, Meghan Markle has been dropped from the show following the outrage.
“I have heard that Meghan Markle’s role in Guy Ritchie’s Netflix series The Gentlemen is OFF,” she wrote on X on August 22. “Public backlash was too fierce. This does not bode well for Meghan’s acting comeback in the U.K.”
“The backlash in the U.K. was so intense, it became untenable to go forward,” Brown further explained in her Substack.
The report launched a new wave of criticism at Meghan, with some accusing her of pulling a “PR stunt,” given that The Gentlemen’s third season is yet to be greenlit, and others saying she “never deserved” to have a career again anyway.
“There never was a role offered to her. It was all lies to get publicity,” one user commented.
“Nothing can rehabilitate that woman in Britain. She made the Queen’s final years hell and insulted our country. She could fall out with her own shadow. What was Guy Ritchie thinking?” said another.
Meanwhile, an insider has told The Sun U.K. that she is still in talks with Ritchie and his team, although no formal agreement has been reached. The expected deal would be worth over £1 million ($1.36 million).
“Her return to acting is expected to draw a large audience of both her supporters and critics, and is likely to make a lot of money. It will be seen as a major coup for whoever signs her,” the source added.
Meghan Markle had previously claimed she was “done” with Hollywood
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Despite Rachel Zane in Suits being Meghan Markle’s breakout role, she did not mind giving up Hollywood for her marriage, she had said at the time.
In 2022, she told Variety about her career, “I’m done. I guess never say never, but my intention is to absolutely not.”
But Markle didn’t entirely stay away from the screen. She has hosted her Netflix lifestyle series, With Love, Meghan, appeared as a guest judge on MasterChef Australia, and is set to make a cameo as herself in the upcoming Amazon comedy, Close Personal Friends, with Brie Larson and Lily Collins.
Harry and Meghan stepped back as senior working royals in January 2020, citing media intrusion, lack of support, and their desire for financial independence and greater control over their lives. They subsequently moved to California.
Their decision was followed by years of public backlash, particularly after their 2021 Oprah Winfrey interview, Netflix documentary, and Harry’s memoir Spare, with critics accusing Meghan of attacking the Royal Family while continuing to capitalize on her royal status.
Meghan has since faced criticism on numerous occasions, including accusations of being “neglectful” toward her children and “lying” to the public.
After their U.K. return, the Sussexes will reportedly move into a non-royal residence and will not resume working as royals, but will continue their businesses and philanthropic work. They also won’t receive any public compensation.
Sources told The Sun that any discussion of a future royal role for Harry would need to take place between him and his father, the King.
“All made up.” The internet was divided over Meghan Markle’s potential return to TV
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