Was Meghan's supposed role in Guy Ritchie Netflix series leaked as a PR tactic? Mystery over Duchess and The Gentleman

Early discussions between Meghan Markle and Guy Ritchie about a role in The Gentlemen were leaked to improve her acting credentials, TV insiders believe.

The Duchess of Sussex was reported by a Hollywood website last Friday to be in preliminary talks over a possible role in a third series of the Netflix gangster series.

The claim was made hours after an Australian journalist said she was eyeing a return to acting as part of her move back to Britain with Prince Harry and their two children.

But prominent royal author Tina Brown then claimed on Saturday that the offer had already been withdrawn because the 'backlash was so intense it became untenable'.

The show, starring Theo James and Kaya Scodelario, is yet to be renewed - and a TV insider has now claimed the reports were only leaked so she appeared in demand.

The source told The Times: 'You can well imagine her people might take [a conversation] like that and spin it to create a 'build it and they will come' narrative.'

Another industry figure who has worked with Meghan claimed the reports were a PR stunt, saying: 'It makes her look good and intimates that the relationship with Netflix is ongoing. They like to use Netflix as a way to keep stories about Meghan going.'

The Sussexes agreed a $100million deal with Netflix in 2020 then signed a new first-look contract last year, after the duchess's show With Love, Meghan was panned.

Meghan Markle played lawyer Rachel Zane for seven seasons of the US legal drama Suits

The Gentlemen is a Netflix gangster series starring Kaya Scodelario and Theo James

Bosses at Netflix are believed to have been unaware of any potential offer to the duchess for The Gentlemen, suggesting that she only spoke directly with Ritchie.

Meghan does already have a small part in upcoming US film Close Personal Friends, making a cameo appearance as herself alongside Lily Collins and Brie Larson.

She also appeared as a guest judge on MasterChef Australia last month, after filming the episode in Melbourne in April during a four-day tour of the country with Harry.

But reports of a fuller potential return to acting were first revealed on Friday when entertainment sources told Australian outlet News.com.au that Meghan had been offered a role in an unnamed upcoming project based in the UK.

Bronte Coy, the reporter who broke the story, said Meghan being offered the part in a 'top secret' UK production had played a 'significant' role in the family's return.

Reports then emerged in Deadline on Friday evening that Meghan could have a role in The Gentlemen.

But Ms Brown then claimed the offer had been withdrawn after the reaction in Britain became too 'intense'.

She said: 'I learned that the casting of Meghan Markle has been withdrawn. The backlash was so intense it became untenable to go forward.'

In her 'Fresh Hell' Substack newsletter, the author wrote: 'This does not bode well for Meghan's acting comeback.'

Other sources told the Daily Mail that Meghan will be eyeing up a major part in a West End show.

A former friend said that she has 'desperately wanted to be in a West End' production for many years and 'will certainly be speaking to people about a role'.

Another source in Theatreland said there were deafening rumours that Meghan wants to land a serious stage role in London upon her UK return.

Meghan Markle had a small role in the 2011 movie Horrible Bosses as a FedEx worker

Meghan was once a 'briefcase girl' - a model holding a suitcase of cash - on Deal Or No Deal

The duchess – a former National Theatre patron - is known to be a big theatre fan and attended several West End shows with Harry while living in Britain, including Hamilton, Tina: The Musical and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

Meghan had previously been known for her role in popular US legal drama Suits, playing lawyer Rachel Zane for seven seasons until she became engaged to Harry.

But after her last episode aired in 2018 and she joined the royal family, the 45-year-old duchess paused her acting career and has not had any parts since.

Before meeting Harry, the duchess had roles in CSI: Miami, sci-fi show Fringe and movies such as Get Him To The Greek, Remember Me and Horrible Bosses. She was also a 'briefcase girl' - a model holding a suitcase of cash - on Deal Or No Deal.

But Meghan confirmed in a joint interview with Harry following their engagement in 2017 that she was happy to pause her acting career.

She said at the time: 'What's been really exciting, as we talk about this as the transition out of my career is that the causes that have been very important to me, I can focus even more energy on.

'You realise that as you have access, or a voice that people are willing to listen to, [it comes with] a lot of responsibility, which I take seriously.

'I don't see it as giving anything up. I just see it as a change. It's a new chapter. And keep in mind I've been working on my show for seven years. We were very fortunate to have that sort of longevity on a series.

'For me, once we hit the 100-episode marker, I thought, I have ticked this box and I feel really proud of the work we've done there and now it's time to work as a team with [Harry].'

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visit the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne in April

Meghan confirmed in a joint BBC interview with Harry following their engagement in 2017 that she was happy to pause her acting career, saying it was a 'change' and a 'new chapter'

Then in 2022, Meghan insisted she had no plans to return to acting - telling Variety magazine: 'I'm done. I guess never say never but my intention is to absolutely not.'

Commentators have suggested that any acting role for Meghan and a subsequent return to the spotlight could be problematic both for the Sussexes and the Royal Family in general.

Baroness Wheatcroft told BBC Radio 4: 'The first thing any actress wants is publicity and Meghan may be a good actress. She is certainly going to be offered roles but she has to be very careful when the inevitable interviews come along not to embarrass the royals.'

Betting firm Ladbrokes is offering 80/1 odds on Meghan appearing on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, 100/1 on EastEnders and 150/1 on Coronation Street.

Harry and Meghan will live in a non-royal residence outside of London when they move back to the UK and have already enrolled Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet in British schools.

Their move comes after the duke and duchess took their children to see their grandfather the King for the first time in four years at his Highgrove home in July.

Questions have been raised over the Sussexes' finances as decisions about whether taxpayers will foot the bill for their security remain unanswered, but the duchess will continue to run her lifestyle brand, As Ever, from their new base.

William and Kate have not reacted publicly to the news of Harry and Meghan's return, but may have private conversations with the wider family during their summer break at Balmoral.

The future king is estranged from his younger brother after Harry levelled a barrage of accusations against him, his wife the Princess of Wales and the King and Queen in the wake of his stepping back from royal duties.

Charles, who only found out about the duke and duchess's plans three days before they became public, is said to be happy to be able to spend more time with the Sussex family, but remains adamant they will not be working royals.

Harry and Meghan have not commented on their reasons for relocating to the UK.