Netflix reportedly “used” rumors that Meghan Markle would join the cast of Guy Ritchie’s “The Gentlemen” to promote the second season of the series.
“Some people in her camp feel that it was used to help promote season two, because they knew it wasn’t as good as the first season and had already ordered a third,” a friend of the Duchess of Sussex told the Telegraph.
“It’s the oldest marketing trick there is: asking a big name to read a script, then disclosing that you’re in conversation with them when in reality, nothing is particularly advanced,” the friend added.
“It all left a bit of a bitter taste in the mouth of the Sussex camp,” the friend shared, adding that “Netflix got what they wanted: huge viewing figures for season two and lots of publicity.”
Page Six reached out to representatives for Netflix and Markle for comment but did not immediately respond.
Over the summer, Deadline reported that Markle, 45, was in talks for season 3 of Netflix’s “The Gentlemen” before returning to the UK.
Netflix boss Manda Levin further fueled speculation around Markle’s casting when she gave a cryptic response at the Edinburgh Television Festival in August.
“All bets are off,” the script boss replied when asked about the mom of two joining the action-comedy series.
Page Six exclusively reported that Markle never had an offer and only had one conversation with the show’s casting director.
“She took it as an offer. And it wasn’t,” a close source told us. “And (she and her husband, Prince Harry) thought it would be helpful in the moment to have a reason for their move.”
Another source told us there was never a formal offer, but that interest in the As Ever founder joining the cast was initiated by Ritchie, 58, himself.
Markle is best known for playing Rachel Zane in the legal drama “Suits,” appearing on the series for seven seasons from 2011 to 2018.
She also appeared in films like “Remember Me” and “Horrible Bosses”.
Last year, it was reported that the “With Love, Meghan” star had landed a role in “Close Personal Friends,” a film starring Brie Larson, Lily Collins, Jack Quaid and Henry Golding.
Markle took a step back after getting engaged to Harry, 42, in 2017.
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