Meghan Markle's 'The Gentlemen' Role Reportedly Withdrawn After 'Intense' U.K. Backlash, Source Claims
Meghan Markle's reported acting comeback has hit a major setback amid claims her role in 'The Gentlemen' was withdrawn.
Aug. 23 2026, Published 2:50 p.m. ET
Meghan Markle's reported acting comeback has hit a major snag after her potential role in The Gentlemen was allegedly pulled following intense backlash in the U.K, RadarOnline.com can reveal.
The claim comes just days after reports surfaced that the Duchess of Sussex was in talks to join the Netflix crime series for a potential third season.
Meghan Markle’s Reported Casting Is Pulled
Royal author Tina Brown claimed Meghan Markle's reported role in Guy Ritchie's Netflix series was pulled after U.K. backlash.
According to veteran journalist Tina Brown, the reported casting was withdrawn after the reaction to Markle's possible involvement became too difficult to ignore.
"I learned this morning that the casting of Meghan Markle in season 3 of Guy Ritchie's Netflix series The Gentlemen has been withdrawn," Brown wrote on her Substack on Saturday, August 22.
"The backlash in the U.K. was so intense, it became untenable to go forward," she wrote. "This does not bode well for Meghan's acting comeback in the U.K."
The report has not been confirmed by Markle, Netflix, or Ritchie.
Meghan Markle Was Reportedly Eyed for 'The Gentlemen'
The third season of 'The Gentleman' has not been green lit.
The alleged setback came shortly after reports claimed Markle was being considered for a role in The Gentlemen.
According to reports, discussions surrounding Markle were still in the early stages.
The second season of The Gentlemen is scheduled to premiere on September 3, while the third season has not yet been officially green lit.
Acting Comeback Comes Amid U.K. Return
The Sussexes are reportedly heading back to Britain with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
The alleged casting withdrawal comes as Markle and Prince Harry prepare to spend an extended period in the U.K. with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Reports surfaced this week that the Sussexes plan to return to Britain after leaving the country for the U.S. in 2020.
The couple is expected to maintain their California home while establishing a private base in the U.K.
Meghan Markle Faces Fresh Backlash Over As Ever Wine
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Meghan Markle has also faced recent backlash over her As Ever wine.
The reported The Gentlemen setback comes as Markle faces a separate wave of criticism over the price of her latest As Ever wine.
Markle is selling a 2024 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc for $35 a bottle through her lifestyle brand.
However, some shoppers realized a similar New Zealand wine is being sold by British retailer Laithwaites for about $21.
A source told Radar, "Meghan is positioning As Ever as an aspirational lifestyle label rather than trying to compete with supermarket or high-street pricing, but inevitably people are going to make comparisons.
"Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough is widely available, so shoppers can very quickly see what other bottles cost and some have questioned whether Meghan's name justifies paying significantly more," they added.
"There is always going to be trolling whenever Meghan launches something, and the price has given critics an obvious target," they continued.
