Netflix has faced allegations that it deliberately used rumors of Meghan Markle’s involvement in the second season of its series "The Gentlemen" as a marketing tactic. Sources close to Markle have suggested that the streaming platform leaked talks of her potential role to generate interest in the show, despite no firm plans being in place.
Reports surfaced in September 2026 that Markle, 45, was in discussions about joining the cast of the crime drama starring Theo James as an aristocrat-turned-crime boss. However, her participation was soon clarified as unlikely, with insiders from both sides describing the talk as preliminary at best. A friend of the Duchess of Sussex characterized the strategy as a familiar publicity maneuver: having a high-profile name apparently “in conversation” to attract attention even when talks have not progressed significantly.
Some close to Markle expressed disappointment over the situation, describing it as a marketing ploy that left a “sour taste” within her camp. They accused Netflix of leveraging the gossip to boost viewership and publicity for the second season, which had returned to the platform earlier that month. This allegation was echoed by a Netflix consultant familiar with the company’s relationship with the Sussexes, who noted that the departure last week of Bela Bajaria, Netflix’s former chief content officer and key advocate for Harry and Meghan-related projects, had introduced uncertainty about the future of their collaborations.
Representatives for both Netflix and Markle were contacted regarding the claims but did not issue detailed comments. Meanwhile, sources connected to the production of "The Gentlemen" disputed the suggestion that the series needed such a stunt. They maintained that the show was not struggling with ratings and did not require casting rumors as a promotional tool.
The Sussexes’ partnership with Netflix has evolved since the success of their 2022 documentary series, "Harry & Meghan," which attracted significant viewer interest. Subsequent releases—including "With Love," "Meghan," and "Heart of Invictus"—have not achieved comparable success, contributing to Netflix's decision to shift from the original lucrative multi-year deal to a more limited “first-look” agreement. Several announced projects, such as Markle’s planned adaptations of war memoir "No Way Out" and the romance novels "Meet Me at the Lake" and "The Wedding Date," have stalled, while Prince Harry’s polo drama remains in development.
Bajaria’s replacement, Peter Rice, a former Disney executive, is reportedly focused on discovering and developing programming with broad commercial appeal, such as "Stranger Things" or "Emily In Paris," rather than projects connected to the royal couple. Industry observers predict significant changes ahead for the Sussexes’ output on the platform as Netflix reorganizes its content strategy.