Meghan Markle's Unexpected Return to Hollywood
The Duchess of Sussex has made a surprising return to acting, appearing on set in Pasadena, California for the film Close Personal Friends. Photographs captured Meghan looking confident and relaxed in a blue striped shirt, white jeans and dark glasses, marking her first professional acting engagement since leaving Suits to join the Royal Family.
Insiders described the 44-year-old as "very relaxed and happy" and noted she was "very sweet and down-to-earth" on set. The film features an ensemble cast including Lily Collins, Brie Larson, Jack Quaid and Henry Golding, and follows the story of two couples - one famous and one not - who become friends while on holiday.
A Controversial Career Move
In what represents a significant career pivot, Meghan will be playing herself in a cameo role, leading to mixed reactions within Hollywood circles. One critic sniped: "What version of her personality no one knows," while another commented more harshly: "Playing herself! Even as an actor she is a narcissist!"
The choice of project has raised eyebrows, given that Close Personal Friends is neither a blockbuster production nor an awards-contender, but rather a mid-budget romantic comedy designed for the streaming era. Adding to the intrigue, the film is being produced by Amazon MGM Studios rather than Netflix, where the Sussexes have an existing £100 million deal, or through Meghan's own production company.
Meghan's office has declined to comment on why this particular project was selected, though a film studio source told The Sun that "this is a massive moment for Meghan and signifies a return to doing what she truly loves." The source added that Prince Harry is "really supportive and quite simply wants Meghan to do whatever brings her joy."
Financial Pressures and Strategic Shifts
The unexpected return to acting has sparked speculation about the couple's financial situation, with multiple sources suggesting this move indicates serious monetary concerns. One bluntly stated: "This was never in her plan. This confirms it. They are poor."
The costs of maintaining the Sussexes' lifestyle - including their large Montecito home and private security - are estimated to be at least $4 million per year. However, contradictory evidence exists, including Prince Harry's recent £1.1 million personal donation to BBC Children in Need and substantial contributions to hurricane relief efforts in Jamaica.
The acting comeback represents a dramatic reversal of Meghan's previous statements about never returning to performing. In a 2022 interview with Variety, she was emphatic: "I'm done. I guess never say never, but my intention is to absolutely not." Similarly, during her 2017 engagement interview with Harry, she showed little regret about leaving Suits, saying she had "ticked this box" after reaching the 100-episode milestone.
Sources close to the couple's operations suggest this move comes after multiple professional ventures have failed to gain traction. Their Netflix projects beyond the successful Harry & Meghan documentary have disappointed, with Harry's The Heart of Invictus and Polo series described as flops. Meghan's commercial venture, the As Ever brand (originally American Riviera Orchard), faced numerous challenges including trademark issues and chaotic product launches.
One television producer familiar with the Sussexes' operations told The Hollywood Reporter: "Everyone's terrified of Meghan. She belittles people, she doesn't take advice. They're both poor decision-makers, they change their minds frequently."
The timing of the acting return follows closely on Meghan's recent pivot into fashion, which saw her attend the Balenciaga show at Paris Fashion Week and appear as cover girl for Harper's Bazaar. She also recently positioned herself as a "female founder" at a Fortune magazine event, creating confusion about her professional direction.
As one source close to the couple's operation summarized: "She's got nothing to launch, nothing to announce and nothing to say. It's a mess. The Sussexes seem to be spiralling. They are throwing spaghetti at the wall and seeing what sticks."
Another observed that while Gwyneth Paltrow successfully transitioned from Oscar-winning actress to entrepreneur and back to substantial acting roles, "Meghan has failed at being an entrepreneur and failed at reality TV because Harry won't do any more of it, so this is all that's left for her - a walk-on part as herself."
