Michelle Keegan has been accumulating frequent flyer miles at an impressive rate this week, making a transatlantic journey to Los Angeles mere days after returning to the UK from a Middle Eastern holiday. The actress, aged 37, appears to be laying the groundwork for a significant Hollywood venture, potentially linked to the upcoming film adaptation of the novel Gone Before Goodbye, co-authored by Reese Witherspoon and Harlan Coben.
From Desert Sun to California Shine
Her latest international dash follows a sun-drenched winter escape to Abu Dhabi with her husband, Mark Wright, and their ten-month-old daughter, Palma. Demonstrating her characteristic style, Keegan shared an update via her Instagram Story on Wednesday, confirming her arrival in California as she headed out for lunch. She opted for an effortlessly chic ensemble: a cropped broderie anglaise shirt featuring a dramatic collar, paired with light-wash denim jeans and accessorised with elegant oval-shaped sunglasses.
Hollywood Calling: A Promising Collaboration
The timing of this Los Angeles visit is particularly intriguing given the professional context. Harlan Coben and Reese Witherspoon have partnered to write the new crime thriller Gone Before Goodbye. The plot centres on an indomitable woman entangled in a conspiracy she helped create but cannot comprehend, embarking on a dangerous quest for truth within the exclusive world of the global über-elite.
Industry whispers suggest Witherspoon is reportedly keen to secure Keegan for a role in the adaptation. This interest is bolstered by the actress's previous successful collaboration with Coben on the Netflix adaptation of his novel Fool Me Once, where she starred as Maya Stern alongside Joanna Lumley. The series achieved global success, topping Netflix charts worldwide.
A Meeting of Minds and Mutual Admiration
The professional rapport appears strong. Keegan recently shared a warm photograph from a meeting with both Witherspoon and Coben, captioning it on Instagram: 'When two geniuses collide.. ‘Gone Before Goodbye’ is made! (I can confirm Reese Witherspoon is everything you’d imagined her to be, what a woman)'. Witherspoon reciprocated the sentiment in a reply: 'So wonderful to meet you .. finally!'
Coben has been openly enthusiastic about Keegan's talent. A source previously indicated to the Daily Mail that the author deeply values their working relationship, stating he was 'absolutely gutted that he killed off her character' in Fool Me Once and would explore 'anything to bring her back from the dead' for a potential sequel, highlighting her contribution to the show's 'stratospheric success'.
Future Prospects and Industry Buzz
Following the remarkable impact of Fool Me Once in 2024, rumours of a Hollywood move for Keegan have intensified. The actress has previously confirmed she would consider relocating if the perfect role presented itself. This latest trip to Los Angeles, juxtaposed with the confirmed literary collaboration between Witherspoon and Coben, strongly suggests that serious discussions or preparations for such a role may indeed be underway. Representatives for both Michelle Keegan and Reese Witherspoon have been contacted by the Daily Mail for comment regarding these developments.
