Meghan Markle was 'used' by Netflix to promote Guy Ritchie's series The Gentlemen, friends claim

Close friends of Meghan Markle have claimed she was 'used' by Netflix to promote Guy Ritchie's hit-series The Gentlemen.

The streaming service has been accused by sources close to the Duchess of Sussex of revealing her potential involvement with the black comedy series to boost its publicity. 

In August, it was reported by a Hollywood website that Meghan was in preliminary talks over a possible role in the third series of the Netflix crime drama. 

The news came only two days after she and Prince Harry were revealed to be indefinitely returning to Britain with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. 

But less than one day after news of the talks was disclosed, Meghan's return to acting was stunted amid public criticism over plans to cast her and talks abandoned. 

Friends of Meghan have now claimed she was 'used to help promote' season two of the show, which premiered last month and stars Theo James and Kaya Scodelario.

One source said she was used to bolster publicity as Netflix knew season two of the show was not 'as good as the first season' and they had 'already commissioned a third' series. 

'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 told The Telegraph.

They also claimed the ordeal has 'left a bit of a sour taste in the Sussex camp's mouth,' and added Netflix ultimately 'got what it wanted' - publicity and higher viewing figures for the new season. 

Audience figures showed official ratings for The Gentlemen dropped by approximately 15 per cent from the debut of the first season, which was streamed by 3.5million viewers in March 2024.

The first episode of season two had around three million British viewers a week following its release to Netflix. 

Before her marriage to Prince Harry, the Duchess starred in the popular US legal drama Suits, playing lawyer Rachel Zane for seven seasons. 

But after her last episode aired in 2018 and she joined the Royal Family, she paused her acting career and has not had any parts since.

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.' 

However, she has recently dabbled in a return to acting - having a small part in the 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 earlier this year, after filming the episode in Melbourne in April during a four-day tour of the country with Harry.

Yet another source said Meghan was 'very cautious' about reading scripts for acting ventures due to the potential of her involvement being leaked to the press. They said whatever Meghan might star in would 'attract huge interest'. 

'The prospect of seeing her return to acting will drive big audiences,' the source said. 'And ultimately, someone – whether it's Netflix, Amazon or another studio – is going to make a lot of money from it.' 

The Duchess previously had a longstanding relationship with Netflix, signing a $100million five-year deal with the service in 2020. However, this lapsed last year after Netflix panned her lifestyle show, 'With Love, Meghan'. 

The show received mixed reviews from critics, with its second series failing to make the top ten in the UK or the US since its release.  

Netflix has been contacted for comment. 

The Duchess of Sussex has been contacted for comment.