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Netflix allegedly “used” rumors that Meghan Markle would join the cast of Guy Ritchie’s “The Gentlemen” to promote the show’s second season.
“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 friend of the Duchess of Sussex 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 pal added.
“The whole thing left a bit of a sour taste in the Sussex camp’s mouth,” the friend shared, adding that “Netflix got what it wanted: huge viewing figures for season two and a lot of publicity.”
Page Six has reached out to reps for both Netflix and Markle for comment but did not immediately hear back.
Over the summer, Deadline reported that Markle, 45, was in talks for Season 3 of Netflix’s “The Gentlemen” ahead of her return to the UK.
Netflix boss Manda Levin further fueled the speculation around Markle’s casting when she gave a cryptic response at the Edinburgh TV Festival in August.
“All bets are off,” the scripted chief replied when asked about the mom of two joining the action-comedy series.
Page Six exclusively reported that Markle never actually had an offer and had just one conversation with the series casting director.
“She took it as an offer. And it wasn’t,” one insider told us. “And [she and husband Prince Harry] thought it would be helpful in the moment for there to be a reason for their move.”
Another source told us that there was never a formal offer, but interest in the As Ever founder joining the cast was initiated by Ritchie, 58, himself.
Markle is best known for playing Rachel Zane on the legal drama “Suits,” appearing on the series for seven seasons from 2011 to 2018.
She also appeared in films including “Remember Me” and “Horrible Bosses.”
Last year, it was reported that the “With Love, Meghan” star snagged a role in “Close Personal Friends,” a star-studded film featuring Brie Larson, Lily Collins, Jack Quaid and Henry Golding.
Markle took a step back from acting after she got engaged to Harry, 42, in 2017.