Theo James has joked that Prince Harry is playing one of his “love interests” in The Gentlemen after being asked about rumours that Meghan Markle could join the Netflix series.
James, 41, plays Duke Eddie Horniman, who inherits his family’s sprawling country estate and discovers that it is home to a cannabis farm operated by the criminal Glass family.
The second season of The Gentlemen, created, co-written and executive-produced by Guy Ritchie, is released on Netflix today, Thursday 3 September. However, before the new season has even arrived, speculation about a potential third season has been dominating headlines.
It was widely rumoured that Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, would join the cast in a move that would mark her return to acting. The speculation emerged as the Sussexes returned to the UK. Markle is no stranger to entertainment, having appeared for years in the hit legal drama Suits.
Shortly after the reports began circulating, Tina Brown, the former editor-in-chief of New York Magazine and Vanity Fair, reportedly said the casting had been “withdrawn” following a backlash in the UK.
Now, several stars of the series, including James, have responded to the rumours. During an interview with ExtraTV, James was asked whether he could “set the record” straight on the reports involving Markle.
“No. Prince Harry is playing one of my love interests,” he said. “So that’s the Meghan Markle thing.”
James has previously joked that Sarah Ferguson, also known as “Fergie”, had been signed as his love interest. However, speaking more seriously to the Press Association, he dismissed the speculation as unfounded.
“I think it’s spurious rumours,” he said.
“I think she’d fit in well because she’s actually from part of the royal family.
“But no, I think the practicalities of that are impossible.”
James’ co-star Ray Winstone, who plays Robert “Bobby” Glass, also joked about the possibility of a third season.
“I don’t even know if I’m doing [the third season].”
Vinnie Jones, who plays Geoff Seacombe, called the reports “hot air”, while Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville described them as “genius marketing”.
Bonneville, 62, is joining the cast as aristocrat Lord Hawthorne. He said:
“I think it’s a genius piece of marketing by whoever just dreamt up that idea.
“I suggested Nigel Farage – I think that’s a great run-up. That would be very good.”
Manda Levin, Netflix’s Director of Scripted Series in the UK, offered a more cryptic response when asked about Markle taking on a role during an appearance at the Edinburgh TV Festival.
“All bets are off,” she replied.
The Gentlemen is a spin-off from Ritchie’s blockbuster film of the same name. The second season will introduce several new faces, including Maya Jama.
The upcoming instalment is set one year after the events of the first season. Eddie and Susie, played by Skins star Kaya Scodelario, expand their criminal empire into Italy, where they face high-stakes power struggles with Italian and British mobsters.
