Meghan Markle's casting in 'The Gentlemen' withdrawn after UK backlash, reports say

Meghan Markle's potential return to acting in Guy Ritchie's Netflix series 'The Gentlemen' has reportedly been withdrawn following significant backlash in the United Kingdom. Tina Brown, former editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair and The New Yorker, stated that the backlash made the casting "untenable."

Reports had emerged that the Duchess of Sussex was in discussions to join the third season of 'The Gentlemen,' a spin-off of the 2019 crime comedy. Markle, who previously starred as Rachel Zane in the legal drama 'Suits' for seven seasons, had also made appearances in 'CSI: NY,' '90210,' and films like 'Horrible Bosses.' She recently filmed a cameo as herself in the Amazon comedy 'Close Personal Friends.'

The withdrawal comes amid reports that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are planning to relocate back to Britain this month, six years after moving to the United States. The couple, along with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, are expected to move into a property outside London. King Charles was reportedly informed of their decision last Sunday. The couple also has a multi-year film and television deal with Netflix, signed in 2020.

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I learned this morning that the casting of Meghan Markle in season 3 of Guy Ritchie’s Netflix series The Gentlemen has been withdrawn. The backlash in the UK was so intense, it became untenable to go forward.