As the Royal Family attempts to maintain a ‘business as usual’ approach in the aftermath of the biggest scandal to have engulfed the institution in decades, the pair responsible for its last existential embarrassment have been notably silent. One might have expected, as Andrew was showily stripped of all his titles, some sanctimonious comment on the Sussex Instagram account, some hashtag-laden exhortation always to stand with the victims of abuse. But no. Those of us who were wondering why this has not happened now have an answer, of sorts. Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has returned to her old profession: acting.
In truth, it is unclear as to whether Meghan’s appearance in the forthcoming picture Close Personal Friends will be the greatest test of her thespian abilities
In truth, it is unclear as to whether Meghan’s appearance in the forthcoming picture Close Personal Friends will be the greatest test of her thespian abilities. She has been cast alongside the starry likes of Henry Golding, Brie Larson and a couple of nepo babies, Jack Quaid and Lily Collins, in what is said to be a comedy about two sets of friends, one famous and one not. So, who is Meghan to play? A fairy godmother type, bringing together the civilians and celebrities in one joyous accord? Or a jaded roué of the Madame de Merteuil school, casting a cynical eye over the frolics of the young? Alas, the role is not quite as demanding as that. Instead, she has been cast as herself.
This may, in fact, be challenging to pull off, given that it has not been clear for some time now who the ‘real’ Meghan Markle is. Still, it has been briefed by an excitable insider that the role – which is, presumably, a cameo rather than a co-lead – represents a significant opportunity for her. ‘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 is 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.’ (That went well, didn’t it.) And, of course: ‘Prince Harry is, of course, really supportive and quite simply wants Meghan to do whatever brings her joy.’
Her husband has been busy in his own right. He published an essay – well, at 647 words, more of a think piece – about his great love of Britishness, in which the Montecito exile declared that: ‘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.’ To this short list of clichés, he might also have added ‘the public attitude towards anything that my wife does’. It is fair to say that, while Andrew Windsor’s record levels of unpopularity make Harry and Meghan look like adored titans in comparison, neither of the Sussexes are exactly beloved in his home country. Her appearance in Close Personal Friends is unlikely to make much difference to that.
While Meghan has been a consistent – some might say pervasive – presence on our screens over the past few years, she has not acted since Suits finished in 2018. Still, a quick glance at her hitherto undistinguished filmography is a reminder of what we have been missing. Pictures such as Horrible Bosses, Dysfunctional Friends and A Lot Like Love and such roles as ‘Hot Girl’ and ‘Junior FBI Agent Amy Jessup’ suggest that we have not been missing out on the next Cate Blanchett or Jessie Buckley in our midst.
However, Meghan has made the most striking impact on public life, for good or ill, as herself. And so it seems appropriate that she has chosen to make her comeback in the part that she is most comfortable playing. Will this be the beginning of Meghan Markle, Thespian mark II? As with everything else she does, only a fool – or a close personal friend – would bet against it.
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