The relationship between Meghan Markle and streaming giant Netflix did not end on a particularly positive note. In fact, insiders previously reported several clashes between the two sides, even claiming that Netflix had grown tired of the royal couple. Now, it seems, comes the revenge phase.
Shortly after news emerged in August that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were planning to return to Britain, reports overseas suggested that one reason for the move was Markle's possible appearance in the third season of Guy Ritchie's hit series The Gentlemen. That report ultimately turned out to be incorrect.
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Meghan Markle. Her associates claim her name was used to promote the series
(Photo: Harold Cunningham/Getty Images)
And now comes the juicy part: According to a source familiar with the situation, Netflix allegedly used rumors that Meghan would join the cast of The Gentlemen to generate publicity for its second season.
"Some people in her camp feel she was used to help promote season two," a friend of the Duchess of Sussex told Britain's Telegraph, claiming that Netflix knew the second season was weaker than the first but had already commissioned a third.
The friend described the alleged tactic as "the oldest marketing trick in the book": Have a celebrity read a script, then leak that discussions are underway, even when nothing has progressed particularly far.
According to the source, the entire episode left a bitter taste among the Sussexes, who believe Netflix benefited from increased publicity and strong viewing figures for the second season.
(Photo: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Netflix executive Manda Levin added to speculation about Markle's possible casting when she gave an ambiguous response at the Edinburgh Television Festival in August. Asked whether the duchess might join the action-comedy series, she replied, "All bets are off."
Page Six soon reported that Markle had never received an actual offer and had held only one conversation with the show's casting director.
"She took it as an offer. And it wasn't," a source familiar with the details told the outlet. The insider also claimed that Markle and Prince Harry thought having a possible acting role would provide a useful explanation for their planned move.
Another source told Page Six that no formal offer had ever been made, although the initial interest in bringing Markle into the cast had reportedly come from Ritchie himself.