Meghan Markle Giving Up On Reinventing Herself As Acting Comeback Raises Fresh Questions
Meghan Markle appears to be giving up on reinventing herself after six years away from royal life with her reported interest in returning to acting prompting a royal commentator to question whether the Duchess of Sussex is ultimately returning to the career she left behind.
The former actress is reportedly considering a role in the third season of The Gentlemen, according to reports, potentially marking a major return to the entertainment industry after stepping away from acting when she married Prince Harry.
The possibility of a comeback has already generated considerable discussion because Meghan has spent the years since Megxit exploring a variety of professional identities. Her latest reported move could therefore represent a significant change in direction.
Royal commentator Kinsey Schofield has weighed in on the speculation, questioning what an acting return would mean for the other careers and projects Meghan has pursued since leaving her life as a working royal.
“If she returns now, it raises the obvious question what happened to all those other identities she tried on after leaving royal life?” Schofield said, highlighting the contrast between Meghan’s previous ambitions and the possibility of returning to her original profession.
The commentator believes that a return to acting could suggest that Meghan’s most viable professional identity may ultimately be the one she abandoned when she entered royal life. “Returning to acting would suggest that the most viable professional identity Meghan has found may ultimately be the one she walked away from,” Schofield argued.
Meghan has attempted to establish herself in several different areas since leaving royal duties, including podcasting, producing, lifestyle entrepreneurship, philanthropy and media projects. Her ventures have kept her in the public eye but have also attracted scrutiny over the direction of her career.
Schofield is not convinced, however, that Hollywood filmmakers will necessarily welcome Meghan back with open arms simply because of her global profile. The Duchess would be returning to an industry that has changed significantly since she last worked regularly as an actress.
Before marrying Harry, Meghan was best known for playing Rachel Zane in the legal drama Suits. Her acting career gave her international recognition before her relationship with the British prince transformed her public image and placed her at the centre of the Royal Family.
Since stepping down as a senior royal, Meghan has instead spent much of her time in the United States with Harry and their children while building a new professional life. The couple have also maintained a multimillion-dollar relationship with Netflix as part of their post-royal media activities.
Schofield suggested that Meghan’s career journey has resembled a “carousel” of different professional identities, with the Duchess repeatedly moving between projects and ambitions. Yet, in the commentator’s view, none of those identities has completely replaced the recognition she enjoyed as an actress.
There is nevertheless one advantage Meghan would bring if she returned to the entertainment industry: enormous public interest. Her every professional move continues to generate headlines, making her a uniquely recognizable figure for audiences and media outlets around the world.
“If there’s one thing Meghan has consistently proven, it’s her ability to command attention, the enduring power of the so-called ‘Markle Sparkle,’” Schofield said, pointing to the intense curiosity that continues to surround the Duchess.
“Meghan brings something you cannot manufacture with a marketing budget, and that’s global curiosity,” the commentator added, arguing that her return could generate extraordinary publicity because every photograph, trailer and interview would likely attract international attention. Whether that attention translates into a successful acting comeback remains to be seen.
