Netflix allegedly “used” rumors that Meghan Markle would join the cast of Guy Ritchie’s “The Gentlemen” to promote the show’s second season.
“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,” a friend of the Duchess of Sussex told the Telegraph.
“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.
Meghan Markle (seen above at Swinburne University of Technology in April) was “used” by Netflix to promote the second season of Guy Ritchie’s “The Gentlemen.” Getty Images
“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,” a friend of the Duchess of Sussex (seen above at Bondi Beach in April) told the Telegraph. Getty Images
“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.”
Page Six has reached out to reps for both Netflix and Markle for comment but did not immediately hear back.
Over the summer, Deadline reported that Markle, 45, was in talks for Season 3 of Netflix’s “The Gentlemen” ahead of her return to the UK.
Netflix boss Manda Levin further fueled the speculation around Markle’s casting when she gave a cryptic response at the Edinburgh TV Festival in August.
The pal said Netflix “got what it wanted: huge viewing figures for season two and a lot of publicity.” (Pictured: Ritchie at the “MobLand” premiere in 2025.) Getty Images
Over the summer, reports surfaced that Markle would join Season 3 of “The Gentlemen.” (Pictured l to r: Joely Richardson, Theo James, Jasmine Blackborow, Chanel Cresswell and Daniel Ings.) ©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection
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“All bets are off,” the scripted chief replied when asked about the mom of two joining the action-comedy series.
Page Six exclusively reported that Markle never actually had an offer and had just one conversation with the series casting director.
“She took it as an offer. And it wasn’t,” one insider told us. “And [she and husband Prince Harry] thought it would be helpful in the moment for there to be a reason for their move.”
Another source told us that there was never a formal offer, but interest in the As Ever founder joining the cast was initiated by Ritchie, 58, himself.
Markle is best known for playing Rachel Zane on the legal drama “Suits,” appearing on the series for seven seasons from 2011 to 2018.
Markle is best known for her role as Rachel McAdams in “Suits.” ©USA Networks/Courtesy Everett Collectio / Everett Collection
The “With Love, Meghan” star took a break from acting when she got engaged to Prince Harry (seen holding hands with Markle in England Oct. 15) in 2017. Zak Hussein / BACKGRID
She also appeared in films including “Remember Me” and “Horrible Bosses.”
Last year, it was reported that the “With Love, Meghan” star snagged a role in “Close Personal Friends,” a star-studded film featuring Brie Larson, Lily Collins, Jack Quaid and Henry Golding.
Markle took a step back from acting after she got engaged to Harry, 42, in 2017.