Journalist Tina Brown has reported that casting talks to include Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, in season three of Guy Ritchie’s Netflix series The Gentlemen were withdrawn because of intense backlash in the United Kingdom. Neither Netflix nor the show’s production has publicly corroborated the claim.
- Tina Brown reported that Meghan Markle’s proposed casting in The Gentlemen was withdrawn because of intense UK backlash.
- Netflix and the show’s production did not confirm the withdrawal in the reporting provided.
- Season three of The Gentlemen had not been officially greenlit, leaving the status of any role uncertain.
- Reporting cited Meghan’s previous acting credits and the Sussexes’ relationship with Netflix for context.
What has been reported
On Saturday, Tina Brown wrote that she had learned the proposed casting for Meghan Markle in season three of The Gentlemen “has been withdrawn” and attributed the decision to severe reaction in the UK. Brown made the comment in a Substack column, according to multiple entertainment outlets that later picked up the item.
Those reports followed earlier coverage that Meghan was in talks to join the third season of The Gentlemen, a television spin-off created by Guy Ritchie based on his 2019 film. Variety and other outlets had said the duchess was in discussions; the production has not published an official casting announcement and season three has not been formally greenlit.
What is confirmed and what remains unverified
- Confirmed by multiple outlets: Tina Brown reported that the proposed casting was withdrawn and said the reason was intense UK backlash. Brown has said she stands by her reporting, as outlets noted.
- Unverified: There has been no official statement from Netflix, Guy Ritchie’s production team, or Meghan Markle’s representatives in the sources provided confirming either that she was formally cast or that a withdrawal occurred.
- Contextual details mentioned in reporting: The Gentlemen television series is an adaptation of Ritchie’s 2019 film and season two was due to premiere on Sept. 3, according to one source. Any role for Markle reportedly would have been written for season three, which had not received a greenlight in the reporting available.
Why the story matters
If accurate, the report would mark a much-discussed moment in Meghan Markle’s public profile: a proposed return to scripted acting after stepping back from her Suits role in 2017. Markle’s most prominent acting credits include playing Rachel Zane on Suits and appearances in films and guest TV roles; more recently she was associated with Netflix projects under deals the couple signed after moving to the US.
Equally, the episode would underline how public reaction in the UK continues to shape opportunities for public figures connected to the royal family. The coverage that cited Brown linked the reported casting controversy to media and public sentiment without providing documentary evidence that specific complaints directly forced any production decision.
How the outlets covered it
Entertainment trade reporting repeated Brown’s claim and sought comment from representatives of Markle and agencies said to represent those involved; those requests were recorded as unanswered in the sources. Several news sites relayed Brown’s account and added background on Markle’s screen credits and the couple’s relationship with Netflix, noting prior deals and projects.
Timeline (as described in reporting)
- Earlier in the week: Reports emerged that Meghan Markle was in talks to join season three of The Gentlemen.
- The following day: Tina Brown wrote that she had learned the casting had been withdrawn due to UK backlash.
- Subsequent reporting: Trade outlets and national papers published stories citing Brown’s account and noting that Netflix and production had not confirmed the casting or withdrawal; season three remained ungreenlit in those reports.
Open questions and unresolved points
- No direct confirmation: The key claim rests on Brown’s account; the production and Netflix had not issued corroborating statements in the sourced reporting.
- Scope of the backlash: The reports do not document who objected, the content of objections, or whether specific organisations or individuals led any campaign that influenced casting choices.
- Production status: Sources agreed season three had not been officially greenlit, leaving uncertainty about whether roles were formally offered, scripted or finalised.
Practical implications for the parties involved
For Meghan Markle: If the withdrawal is accurate, it would be a setback for a potential return to scripted television in the UK market and could affect how future casting conversations involving high-profile public figures are handled.
For The Gentlemen and its backers: The episode highlights reputational and commercial sensitivities when casting figures with significant public controversy; it also illustrates how pre-greenlight discussions can generate public scrutiny that may complicate development.
Conclusion
Multiple entertainment outlets reported that Tina Brown said Meghan Markle’s proposed casting in season three of The Gentlemen was withdrawn after intense UK backlash. Those reports also note the absence of confirmation from Netflix, the production team or Markle’s spokespeople, and that the third season had not been formally greenlit. The core claim therefore remains a contested report rather than a conclusively documented production decision.
“The backlash in the UK was so intense, it became untenable to go forward.”
