Seven years after stepping away from screen, Duchess of Sussex makes a quiet return to acting
Meghan Markle. photo: file
Meghan Markle is returning to acting for the first time in more than seven years, joining an ensemble cast led by Lily Collins and Brie Larson in the Amazon MGM Studios comedy ‘Close Personal Friends’.
The project, now filming in Los Angeles and Pasadena, marks the Duchess of Sussex’s first on-screen role since leaving her career in television and film to marry Britain’s Prince Harry in 2018.
Industry sources confirmed that Markle’s part in the movie is a cameo, though her presence has already generated widespread attention. The film, directed by an undisclosed filmmaker, follows an ordinary couple who befriend a celebrity pair during a trip to Santa Barbara, only to find themselves tangled in uncomfortable social dynamics as boundaries blur.
Alongside Markle, the cast features ‘Emily in Paris’ star Lily Collins, Oscar-winner Brie Larson, Jack Quaid and Henry Golding, with supporting performances from ‘Saturday Night Live’ alum Melissa Villaseñor, Natasia Demetriou, Anna Konkle and Patti Harrison. Reports suggest Markle will play a version of herself in the light-hearted ensemble film.
An insider quoted by ‘People’ said Markle appeared “relaxed and happy” on set, introducing herself warmly to cast and crew. “It’s a massive moment for Meghan and signifies a return to doing what she truly loves,” another source told ‘The Sun’, describing the role as a tentative but deliberate step back into the creative sphere she left behind.
Markle’s last major acting role was as Rachel Zane in the legal drama ‘Suits’, which she exited in 2017 after seven seasons. She also appeared in smaller roles in ‘Horrible Bosses’ and ‘Remember Me’.
Following her marriage to Prince Harry, she shifted focus to philanthropic and media work under their Archewell Productions banner, producing Netflix docuseries such as ‘Live to Lead’ and ‘Polo’, as well as the lifestyle show ‘With Love, Meghan’.
Her return to acting signals a new professional chapter after several years of public life centred on advocacy, family, and media ventures. Though Amazon MGM has declined to comment officially on her cameo, multiple trade outlets including ‘Variety’, ‘Deadline’ and ‘People’ have verified her participation.
Observers say the move could mark the start of a broader comeback for Markle in entertainment, albeit on her own terms. “It’s Meghan’s way of gently putting her toe back in the water,” one insider said. “She’s choosing projects that feel right and that allow her to balance creative expression with her current life.”
Prince Harry is said to have been supportive of his wife’s decision to revisit acting, reportedly visiting the set during early filming. The couple, who stepped down from royal duties in 2020, now live in Montecito, California, with their two children, Archie and Lilibet.
No release date has yet been announced for ‘Close Personal Friends’, but anticipation around Markle’s return ensures that her brief appearance will be one of the film’s most closely watched moments.
