Meghan ‘to return to acting’ after eight-year hiatus

Published: 06 November 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

After an eight-year break from acting, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, is reportedly stepping back into the spotlight with a role in a new film titled Close Personal Friends. The project, produced by Amazon MGM Studios, features a star-studded cast including Lily Collins, Brie Larson, Jack Quaid, and Henry Golding. Meghan is set to play herself in a witty exploration of fame, friendship, and authenticity, according to insiders.

The film centres around two couples — one famous and one ordinary — navigating the tensions between celebrity life and normalcy. The Duchess’s appearance, while brief, marks her first acting role since leaving the industry in 2017, shortly before her engagement to Prince Harry.

A source close to the production told The Sun: “This is a massive moment for Meghan and signifies a return to doing what she truly loves. She has been swamped with offers but this one felt right. It’s Meghan’s way of gently putting her toe back in the water and seeing how she enjoys being back on set. Everyone involved is super-excited and have been sworn to secrecy about her involvement. Prince Harry is, of course, really supportive and quite simply wants Meghan to do whatever brings her joy.”

Before becoming a member of the British Royal Family, Meghan gained international recognition for her role as Rachel Zane in the hit legal drama Suits, which aired from 2011 to 2019. Her decision to quit acting came just a year after she began dating Prince Harry, and her departure was seen as part of her transition into royal life.

In August, Meghan spoke candidly about her acting career on the Aspire with Emma Grede podcast, admitting that she “sometimes” missed being on set. She reflected on her time filming Suits, expressing regret that she never had the chance to say a proper goodbye to the cast and crew before moving on to royal duties.

Her new cooking and lifestyle show, With Love, Meghan, has also reignited her passion for production and storytelling. “It made me remember how much I enjoyed being around a crew,” she said during the podcast. “There’s a creative energy that you just can’t replicate anywhere else.”

Meghan’s return to film comes amid a period of renewed public interest in both her and Prince Harry. While the couple have been living in Montecito, California, with their two children — Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet — since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, they continue to maintain strong ties to their British roots.

In a personal essay released this week, Prince Harry reflected on his enduring connection to the UK. “The banter of the mess, the clubhouse, the pub, the stands – ridiculous as it sounds, these are the things that make us British. I make no apology for it. I love it,” he wrote. He also reaffirmed his commitment to the country he once served as a member of the British Army, adding, “Britain is, and always will be, the country I proudly served and fought for.”

Insiders suggest Meghan’s decision to return to acting was carefully considered and not part of any wider publicity campaign. Instead, it is said to reflect her desire to reconnect with her creative roots after years spent focusing on charitable and entrepreneurial ventures.

Since moving to California, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have built a new public identity through media, philanthropy, and business. They launched Archewell Productions and Archewell Audio, producing documentary content and podcasts that explore themes of compassion, mental health, and equality. However, sources close to the couple say that Meghan has long missed the artistic side of storytelling — something her return to acting may help fulfil.

“Meghan always described herself as an actor before anything else,” said a former Suits colleague. “Even when she became a duchess, she never lost that creative spark. This return isn’t about fame — it’s about reconnecting with her passion.”

Industry insiders have already begun to speculate that her involvement in Close Personal Friends could open new doors in Hollywood. Though she reportedly turned down several film and television offers in recent years, her collaboration with Amazon MGM Studios may signal a gradual re-entry into the entertainment world.

For Meghan, the timing seems deliberate. With her lifestyle brand and cooking series gaining momentum, a controlled, one-off acting appearance could reinforce her growing influence as both a creative and a public figure. Her portrayal of herself also allows her to shape her own narrative — something she has long sought after facing years of intense media scrutiny.

Prince Harry’s unwavering support appears to have been a decisive factor. Those close to the couple describe their marriage as “stronger than ever,” with both partners encouraging each other’s professional independence. “Harry just wants her to be happy,” the insider said. “He’s proud of her, whatever she chooses to do.”

Filming for Close Personal Friends is expected to continue through the winter, with a planned release in late 2026. Whether Meghan’s role is a one-time return or the beginning of a new chapter in her acting career remains to be seen.

For now, the Duchess seems content to strike a balance between creative fulfilment and family life. As she once told an interviewer, “Acting gave me a voice, and storytelling gave me purpose. I’ll always be grateful for that.”