Meghan Markle’s rumored link to “The Gentlemen” was ruled out within days, yet it is still causing friction. The show returned for a second series in September. Soon after, reports linking Markle with the project began floating. Her allies believe Netflix used her name to stir up interest, while those close to the show are now denying this claim. Now, the issue has taken on a fresh turn, with each camp offering a very different version of events.
Sources close to Netflix’s ‘The Gentlemen’ respond to Meghan Markle’s casting controversy
The Times reported that an insider on the production team outright rejected the claims of Meghan Markle’s allies. Now, stirring the pot, her side tells the story differently. The source reports that people close to the Duchess believe she was “used” to help promote the new series.
Earlier reported by Reality Tea, one of them described it as “the oldest marketing trick in the book”: having a big name read a script and then leaking talks that have barely progressed. The source added that the episode left some in the Sussex camp unhappy. They also claimed that Netflix gained strong viewing figures and plenty of publicity.
Markle is also said to be wary of scripts now. The outlet reported that she has become very cautious about accepting them from producers, worried that her possible involvement could be leaked to draw audiences.
However, the show’s ratings lend weight to the production’s claims. Created by Guy Ritchie, “The Gentlemen” was the UK’s most-watched show on US-owned streaming services in September.
The dispute also lands at a delicate time for the Sussexes at Netflix. Bela Bajaria, the former chief content officer, left last week as part of wider redundancies, and Peter Rice, previously of Disney, is replacing her. A Netflix consultant who worked closely with Bajaria told the source that the Sussexes’ “biggest champion” had gone.
Netflix’s multi-year deal with the couple has already been scaled back to a “first-look” arrangement. For now, the row over Meghan Markle and “The Gentlemen” remains a clash of competing accounts of who needs whom more.
