Rumours that Meghan Markle could join the cast of Netflix’s The Gentlemen have been met with a blunt response from one of the show’s leading stars.
Theo James, who plays Duke Eddie Horniman in the Guy Ritchie series, has dismissed speculation that the Duchess of Sussex could appear in the show’s third season, describing the practicalities of such a move as “impossible.”
The 41-year-old actor addressed the rumours while attending the London premiere for the show’s second season.
Meghan casting rumours continue
Hugh Bonneville, the Downton Abbey star who is playing aristocrat Lord Hawthorne in Netflix’s The Gentlemen, has spoken out about the Meghan Markle casting rumours.
The actor took an amused view, calling the reports “a genius piece of marketing by whoever just dreamt up that idea.”
The 62-year-old offered his own tongue-in-cheek alternative casting suggestion: “I suggested Nigel Farage; I think that’s a great run-up. That would be very good.”
Theo James also firmly shut down speculation that the Duchess of Sussex could appear in the third series of The Gentlemen, branding the reports as baseless at the show’s season two premiere in London.
Hugh Bonneville, the Downton Abbey star who is playing aristocrat Lord Hawthorne in Netflix’s The Gentlemen, has spoken out about the Meghan Markle casting rumour
Speculation surrounding Meghan’s potential involvement emerged after reports claimed the former Suits star had held preliminary discussions about taking a role in the Netflix hit.
However, the reports have since become increasingly uncertain.
Former Vanity Fair and New York Magazine editor-in-chief Tina Brown claimed last week that the proposed role had been withdrawn following a wave of backlash over the possibility of Meghan joining the cast.
A Netflix executive then added further uncertainty to the story when asked about the reports, saying that “All bets are off.”
If Meghan were to take part in the series, it would mark her first major acting role since marrying Prince Harry in 2018.
Theo James weighs in
Hugh Bonneville, the Downton Abbey star who is playing aristocrat Lord Hawthorne in Netflix’s The Gentlemen, has spoken out about the Meghan Markle casting rumours.
The actor took an amused view, calling the reports “a genius piece of marketing by whoever just dreamt up that idea.”
The 62-year-old offered his own tongue-in-cheek alternative casting suggestion: “I suggested Nigel Farage; I think that’s a great run-up. That would be very good.”
Theo James also firmly shut down speculation that the Duchess of Sussex could appear in the third series of The Gentlemen, branding the reports as baseless at the show’s season two premiere in London.
Hugh Bonneville, the Downton Abbey star who is playing aristocrat Lord Hawthorne in Netflix’s The Gentlemen, has spoken out about the Meghan Markle casting rumours
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The 41-year-old, who leads the hit Netflix crime drama as Duke Eddie Horniman, addressed the widely circulated claims at the premiere.
“I think it’s spurious rumours,” he said.
Reports had suggested the former Suits star held preliminary discussions about returning to acting through a role in Guy Ritchie’s series, which would have been her first major acting work since marrying Prince Harry in 2018.
Mr James acknowledged the Duchess would thematically suit the show given her royal connections but was unequivocal in his assessment.
Reports had suggested the former Suits star held preliminary discussions about returning to acting through a role in Guy Ritchie’s series, which would have been her first major acting work since marrying Prince Harry in 2018
Asked about the possibility of appearing alongside Meghan, James played down the reports.
“I think it’s spurious rumours,” he said.
The actor, who is also known for his role in the Divergent film trilogy, added that Meghan could theoretically fit into the world of the show because of her connection to the Royal Family.
“I think she’d fit in well because she’s actually from part of the royal family,” James said.
But he quickly dismissed the possibility of the collaboration taking place.
“No, I think the practicalities of that are impossible,” he added.
His comments come as the cast gathered in London to promote the second season of the crime drama.
Cast members react to the speculation
James is not the only member of The Gentlemen cast to address the rumours.
Ray Winstone, who plays the formidable Robert “Bobby” Glass, the head of Eddie’s cannabis empire, joked about the uncertainty surrounding the show’s future.
“I don’t even know if I’m doing (the third season),” the 69-year-old actor said.
Vinnie Jones, who plays Geoff Seacombe, was similarly dismissive, describing the Meghan reports as “hot air.”
Meanwhile, Hugh Bonneville offered a rather different interpretation.
The 62-year-old Downton Abbey star, who is joining the cast as aristocrat Lord Hawthorne, suggested the speculation could actually be an example of clever publicity.
“I think it’s a genius piece of marketing by whoever just dreamt up that idea,” Bonneville said.
He even jokingly suggested Nigel Farage as another potential casting choice.
What is The Gentlemen about?
Created, co-written and executive-produced by Guy Ritchie, The Gentlemen is a spin-off of his 2019 film of the same name.
The Netflix series follows Eddie Horniman, who unexpectedly inherits an estate and discovers that it conceals a cannabis operation controlled by the criminal Glass family.
Kaya Scodelario plays Susie Glass, a key figure in the illicit business.
The second season picks up one year after the events of the first, with Eddie and Susie attempting to expand their criminal empire into Italy while confronting increasingly dangerous power struggles involving British and Italian mobsters.
The new season also features Maya Jama among its additions to the cast.
Eddie’s darker transformation
James also offered a glimpse into what audiences can expect from Eddie in the new episodes.
The actor explained that his character’s growing involvement in the criminal world will force him to confront increasingly difficult moral choices.
“He’s making decisions that will alter him as a man and question his morality,” James said, describing a journey that pushes Eddie toward a much darker place.
He explained that Eddie initially appears to be a fundamentally moral man, but gradually becomes someone willing to flirt with immorality in pursuit of what he wants.
“And with immorality comes the loss of soul and how that affects a person,” James said.
With the second season now bringing Eddie and Susie’s expanding empire into a new and more dangerous phase, attention will remain firmly on the show’s story — while, for now, the speculation surrounding Meghan Markle remains just that: speculation.