Meghan Markle is in early discussions for a role in Netflix's "The Gentlemen," potentially giving the Duchess of Sussex her most significant acting job since leaving "Suits," as she and Prince Harry prepare to move their family back to Britain and the duke confronts a £9.5 million interim legal-cost order from the High Court.
The talks are at an early stage, Deadline reported, while People said Meghan, 45, is being considered for a part in the Guy Ritchie-created crime drama. The Hollywood Reporter reported that the role is still being written, leaving unresolved how many episodes the duchess could appear in if an agreement is reached.
Netflix hasn't formally announced a third season of "The Gentlemen," whose second season is scheduled to premiere Sept. 3. People, however, cited a source saying another season is expected to be announced soon. The series, starring Theo James, Kaya Scodelario and Giancarlo Esposito, is filmed in Britain and set in England.
The potential role would fit neatly with Meghan and Harry's impending return to the U.K. The couple are expected to establish a private residence outside London while retaining their home in Montecito, Calif., with Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, due to attend school in Britain beginning next month.
Meghan built her acting career playing paralegal Rachel Zane in the legal drama "Suits." She filmed her final episodes in 2017 before marrying Harry the following year, describing her departure from acting at the time as the beginning of a "new chapter."
She appeared to close the door more firmly in a 2022 interview with Variety, saying she was "done" with acting. That position has since shifted: Meghan filmed a cameo playing herself in the upcoming comedy "Close Personal Friends," appearing alongside Lily Collins and Jack Quaid.
A source who saw Meghan on the Pasadena, Calif., set in November 2025 told People she appeared "very relaxed and happy." The source added: "She introduced herself to everyone and was very sweet and down-to-earth."
A larger role in "The Gentlemen" would also deepen Meghan's already extensive commercial relationship with Netflix. Harry and Meghan initially signed an exclusive production agreement with the streaming company in 2020 through what became Archewell Productions, before announcing a multiyear first-look agreement with Netflix in 2025.
Their projects have included the 2022 documentary series "Harry & Meghan," as well as "Live to Lead," "Heart of Invictus" and "Polo." Meghan has separately fronted "With Love, Meghan," her lifestyle series for the streaming service.
News of the possible acting role emerged as Harry received a costly setback in his litigation against Associated Newspapers Limited, publisher of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday. Justice Matthew Nicklin ruled Aug. 21 that Harry and six other high-profile claimants must make an interim payment of £9,544,355-about $13 million-toward the publisher's legal costs.
The payment is due Aug. 28 and doesn't represent the final amount the group could ultimately owe. The High Court was told that ANL's total costs exceeded £34 million after the claimants failed to establish their allegations of unlawful information gathering, which the publisher had strongly denied.
The other claimants include Elton John and his husband David Furnish, Elizabeth Hurley, former lawmaker Simon Hughes, Baroness Doreen Lawrence and Sadie Frost. Matthew Kain, chief executive of costs law firm Kain Knight, said the group has insurance that should initially limit its exposure.
"The claimants have what's known as an 'after the event' insurance policy which will cover £16 million and allow them to make the interim payments," Kain said. "This shows how critically important it is for claimants to take out insurance before they issue a claim."
The greater financial risk could emerge if the eventual costs exceed the insurance coverage. "The really interesting and contentious ground will be the costs over £16 million where the claimants will be personally liable for potentially many millions more," Kain said.
The legal development comes as Harry continues a separate dispute over his security arrangements in Britain. His publicly funded police protection changed after he and Meghan stepped away from working-royal duties in 2020, and the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures, known as Ravec, has been reviewing the security requirements surrounding him and his family.
Harry and Meghan's return also follows a significant thaw in Harry's relationship with King Charles. The couple brought Archie and Lilibet to Britain in July, when the children saw their grandfather for the first time in more than four years during a visit that included tea at the King's Highgrove House.
