Netflix Hits Back After Meghan Markle’s Pals Accuse Streamer of Publicity Stunt
In a major development, sources connected with the streaming giant have strongly denied the accusations put forth by the Sussex camp.
Meghan Markle was rumored to be a part of the third season of Guy Ritchie’s Netflix action drama The Gentlemen. The news came right on the heels of the Duchess’ return to the UK after almost six years. However, royal expert Tina Brown later reported that the offer had been withdrawn due to public backlash. Markle’s friends are now accusing the streaming giant of using her name to promote the latest season, which debuted in September.
"Some people in her camp feel she was used to help promote season two, because they knew it wasn’t as good as the first season and had already commissioned a third," a close source told The Telegraph. “It’s the oldest marketing trick in the book: get a big name to read a script, then leak that you’re ‘in conversation’ with them when, in reality, nothing is particularly far along," the source added.
Season 2 of The Gentleman, featuring Theo James and Kaya Scodelario, premiered on Netflix on September 3. The show, filmed in the U.K., has been renewed for a third season, which is in pre-production with scripts being finalized. Deadline previously reported that discussions for Markle to join the cast were in the early stages, while according to The Hollywood Reporter, the character was still being written, leaving her episode count uncertain.
The source noted that Netflix successfully achieved high viewing figures and substantial publicity for season two. Nevertheless, the second season of The Gentlemen opened to lower viewership. In its first week, the premiere attracted three million viewers in Britain, a 15% decline from the 3.5 million streams the first season's debut drew in March 2024.
After the Sussex camp expressed dissatisfaction over the alleged leak, describing it as having "left a bit of a sour taste," sources connected with the streaming giant strongly denied the accusations. "This is not a show in need of stunt casting," a source told the Times.
Ironically, Netflix had neither confirmed nor denied Markle's casting at the beginning; in fact, it had stated, "Your guess is as good as anyone's as to what's coming in the third season." This statement had drawn suspicions that Ritchie might have pulled the move to promote his series. "It's a very Guy Ritchie move," a drama executive had noted. Meanwhile, according to GB News, the Duchess has reportedly become cautious about reviewing scripts, since she wishes to avoid future situations like this.
