Meghan Returns to Acting After Saying She's ‘Done’ — Her On-Set Behavior Shows What’s Changed
The film, which stars Brie Larson, Lily Collins, Henry Golding, and Jack Quaid, follows a pair who befriend another famous couple during a trip to Santa Barbara.
After her engagement to Prince Harry, Meghan Markle gave up her acting career for what she called 'the next chapter' — walking into one of the most famous families in the world, and into love. She took on royal engagements like any other working royal and bid farewell to a promising Hollywood career. During her engagement interview with the BBC, she said her decision was not a sacrifice. “I don’t see it as giving anything up... I just see it as a change.” But after eight long years, Markle appears to be back to her own base, i.e., Hollywood, and looked super 'happy' and radiant on set.
According to PEOPLE, she was recently spotted on the Pasadena set of the Amazon–MGM Studios comedy Close Personal Friends, where she’s reportedly set to play herself. The film, which stars Brie Larson, Lily Collins, Henry Golding, and Jack Quaid, follows a couple who befriend another famous pair during a trip to Santa Barbara; a fitting premise for someone who happens to live in nearby Montecito with her equally famous husband. “Meghan was on the set today,” an insider told the outlet. “She has a small part. She seemed very relaxed and happy. She introduced herself to everyone and was very sweet and down-to-earth.”
Though brief, the role is considered to be significant. It marks Markle’s first screen appearance since leaving the hit legal drama, Suits, after its seventh season. A studio source told The Sun, “This is a massive moment for Meghan and signifies a return to doing what she truly loves. She has been swamped with offers, but this one felt right.”
The comeback is especially surprising given how certain she once sounded about closing that chapter. In the same BBC interview, she had said, “It’s a new chapter. Right. And also, keep in mind, I’ve been working on my show for seven years. So we’re very, very fortunate to be able to have that sort of longevity on a series. For me, once we hit the 100-episode marker, I thought, you know what? I have ticked this box, and I feel really proud of the work I’ve done there, and now it’s time to, as you said, work as a team with [Harry].”
Following her much-publicised royal exit, Markle did, however, explore other creative routes, from producing documentaries to reality programming, including two seasons of With Love, Meghan, but never scripted acting, until now.
For someone who had built her identity as an independent, career-driven woman long before royalty came calling, she stepped away rather easily. Markle, known to be her own person, had created her space in Hollywood and set it aside for a life that came with rules and scrutiny. Now, she seems to be finding her balance again. Back on set, smiling, and in control of her choices again, the trauma of her royal exit now behind her.
Earlier in October, she was also seen at Paris Fashion Week, attending the Balenciaga show, her first fashion event in over a decade. Those who saw her back on set say she seemed calm, confident, and most importantly, content, qualities not often associated with her years under royal scrutiny. “It is Meghan’s way of gently putting her toe back in the water and seeing how she enjoys being back on set,” a source said, adding that the production team was 'sworn to secrecy' about her involvement.
