'No chance' Meghan's possible return to acting was reason for Sussexes' UK move, industry insiders say

The Sussexes' return to the UK has been linked to a possible resumption of Meghan's acting career - but senior TV executives have told Sky News "there's no chance" that is the reason.

The executives, who asked not to be named, also noted that while casting the duchess might generate interest, it would also be "risky".

Harry and Meghan landed in the UK this week - just days after announcing they would relocate to the country with their children Archie and Lilibet.

The couple stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and went to live in California.

The surprise announcement sparked speculation - and the duchess was said to have had talks about a role in season three of Guy Ritchie's Netflix hit, The Gentlemen.

One producer who has worked with Netflix told us: "You don't uproot your family for one role in a show."

They added: "There's no chance the reason they're coming back is TV roles like The Gentlemen."

As for whether Meghan could join the cast of the show, they added: "I think the producers have said, 'There's a part for two episodes, let's look into that' - but then decided, 'reverse, reverse, the publicity is terrible'.

"I doubt the producers or Netflix are enjoying this kind of attention."

Another told us that if she was cast, "I don't think people would stop watching because she is in it. They have a fanbase already and there is the possibility that Meghan could add some audience."

The insiders agree the duchess would "attract publicity", which could generate "higher ratings" for shows.

But casting her would come with its own set of problems, too, the industry insiders have told us.

"You need actors who inhabit roles and are believable. How do you get over the fact she's a duchess?" said one.

"I don't think Meghan would get a project greenlit just with her attached because, despite her being quite famous, it's quite an unknown, and she is divisive."

Since the Sussexes left their lives as full-time working royals, their popularity in the UK has plummeted.

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There are practical issues too, "imagine the security we would need on set," said another TV insider.

When she married Prince Harry in 2018, Meghan ended her acting career to focus on her charitable causes and royal duties.

She rose to fame on the screen playing paralegal Rachel Zane in the show Suits for seven series.

Together, Harry and Meghan signed multi-million-pound deals with Spotify for a podcast series and with Netflix for programmes including the duchess's lifestyle show With Love, Meghan.

Their podcast deal ended, and Meghan's Netflix show was not renewed for a third season, but it's reported that the Sussexes remain on a downgraded first-look deal with the streaming giant.

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And the couple were executive producers on the documentary Cookie Queens, which was released in January.

There is little precedent for women who marry into the Royal Family returning to their careers.

When Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, married Prince Edward, she gave up her job working in PR.

"It will be hard for Meghan to find the right roles. She's had success, and she's a good actress," another executive said.

"But she's not Grace Kelly, who was a world-famous actress who became a princess."

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