Meghan Markle's Casting in The Gentlemen Withdrawn

Meghan Markle's reported casting in the third season of Guy Ritchie's Netflix crime series, The Gentlemen, has been withdrawn. This development was reported by Tina Brown, former editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair and The New Yorker, on Saturday. Brown stated that she learned of the withdrawal that morning, attributing the decision to intense backlash in the United Kingdom, which made it "untenable to go forward." The specific nature of the backlash was not detailed, but it is implied to have been significant enough to prompt the production to reverse its casting decision. The Gentlemen series is a spin-off from Ritchie's 2019 film of the same name, which focused on an American expatriate in London who inherits his father's marijuana empire and decides to sell it, triggering plots and schemes among those who want a piece of it. The Netflix series, which premiered in February 2024, stars Theo James as Eddie Horniman, who inherits his family estate only to discover it's part of Mickey Pearson's cannabis empire. The series has been renewed for a second season, and reports of Markle's potential involvement in a third season emerged prior to this withdrawal. Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, is married to Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and the couple stepped down as senior members of the British royal family in early 2020. Their subsequent activities and public statements have generated considerable media attention and varied public reactions, particularly in the UK. The reported casting would have marked a significant television role for Markle since her departure from the royal family and her starring role in the legal drama Suits, which concluded in 2019. The decision to withdraw her casting, as reported by Brown, suggests a sensitivity on the part of the production to public perception and potential controversy in a key market. The Guardian has reached out to representatives for Markle and Netflix for comment on the reported withdrawal. As of the time of reporting, no official confirmation or denial has been issued by the involved parties. The series itself is known for its stylized violence, dark humor, and intricate plotlines, typical of Guy Ritchie's directorial style. The potential involvement of a high-profile figure like Meghan Markle would have undoubtedly added another layer of public interest and scrutiny to the production. The withdrawal, however, indicates that the perceived risks associated with her casting outweighed the potential benefits for the show's producers.