Speculation surrounding Meghan Markle potentially joining the cast of Netflix’s The Gentlemen for a third season has been firmly dismissed by the show’s leading star, Theo James. The rumors surfaced in late August, shortly before the second season of the Guy Ritchie series premiered, but the actor has characterized the chatter as unfounded.
Theo James Addresses Casting Rumors with Humor and Clarity
When pressed on the possibility of an ex-royal joining the ensemble, James initially responded with a tongue-in-cheek remark. “Yes, Fergie is joining,” he told Town&Country. “She’ll be playing my love interest.”
Adopting a more serious tone, James subsequently shut down the speculation entirely. “No, I think that was mainly a lot of hot air,” he continued. “At the moment, we’re just trying to get as many eyes on season two, and then season three will happen soon.”
Regarding the narrative direction, he noted the broader vision is established, though specific details remain fluid. “But in terms of story, we have the overarching ambition of where we’re going to go. We’re going to expand the world, go to different countries. But in terms of the minutiae.” He concluded, “I mean, it’s still very much up in the air.”
Origin and Escalation of the Meghan Markle Speculation
The rumors coincided with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s return to the UK from California. Markle, known for her starring role in Suits, was reportedly in talks for the series. The conjecture gained traction when Manda Levin, Netflix’s Director of Scripted Series in the UK, responded to the speculation by stating, “All bets are off.”
However, the narrative shifted rapidly. Within days, reports emerged claiming Netflix had withdrawn the offer due to significant public backlash in the UK. Tina Brown, former editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair and The New Yorker, wrote in a Substack column: “I learned this morning that the casting of Meghan Markle in season 3 of Guy Ritchie’s Netflix series The Gentlemen has been withdrawn.” She added, “The backlash in the UK was so intense, it became untenable to go forward. This does not bode well for Meghan’s acting comeback in the UK.”
Cast Members Unanimously Dismiss the Reports
Multiple members of The Gentlemen cast have fielded questions on the topic, uniformly rejecting the validity of the casting rumors. James repeated his royal jest in a separate interview with Extra TV, swapping Sarah Ferguson for Prince Harry. “No. Prince Harry is playing one of my love interests,” he told Extra TV. “So that’s the Meghan Markle thing.”
Speaking to PA, James elaborated on the impracticality of such a casting choice. “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.”
Co-Stars Label Rumors a Marketing Ploy
New season two addition Hugh Bonneville suggested the speculation served as a brilliant promotional tactic. “I think it’s a genius piece of marketing by whoever just dreamt up that idea.”
Veteran actor Ray Winstone injected humor regarding his own future on the show, stating, “I don’t even know if I’m doing [the third season].” Vinnie Jones, who portrays Geoff Seacombe, echoed James’s sentiment, branding the rumors “hot air.”
Season Two Introduces Maya Jama
While the Markle rumors dominate headlines, the second season has introduced a confirmed new face: presenter Maya Jama. Her acting debut in the series has reportedly divided audience opinion, providing a tangible talking point amid the fictional casting chatter.
