The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, is making a high-profile return to acting in a new Hollywood film, but according to a source, this career move was never part of her original plan.
From Royalty Back to the Red Carpet
Meghan, who first found fame playing Rachel Zane in the legal drama Suits from 2012 to 2017, stepped away from acting upon her marriage to Prince Harry. She subsequently became a senior working royal until she and Harry famously stepped down from their duties in 2020 and relocated to California.
Her new project, the mid-budget romantic comedy Close Personal Friends, is currently filming in Pasadena, California. The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast including Lily Collins, Brie Larson, Jack Quaid, and Henry Golding.
A Change of Heart and Changing Times
This return marks a significant shift from Meghan's previous statements. In a 2022 interview with Variety magazine, she explicitly stated: "I'm done. I guess never say never, but my intention is to absolutely not" return to acting.
However, the Duchess had previously hinted at a potential return during a discussion about the evolving entertainment landscape. She reflected on how streaming services have transformed television, noting that the cultural experience of watching shows has changed dramatically since her Suits days.
The Real Reason Behind the Comeback
Despite the new role, an insider told The Daily Mail that returning to acting was not something Meghan had mapped out. The source was quoted as saying: "This was never in her plan. This confirms it. They are poor."
The Mirror has approached representatives for the Duchess of Sussex for comment on these claims.
Meghan has been open about the challenges she faced early in her acting career, describing how constant rejection from directors impacted her confidence before her big break. Her return to film in Close Personal Friends, a story about two couples—one famous, one not—who befriend each other on holiday, represents her first professional acting role since 2017.
