Meghan Markle Makes Acting Return Eight Years After Retiring — Here’s Everything We Know
Meghan Markle is reportedly stepping back into the spotlight with a long-awaited return to acting — eight years after she announced her retirement from Hollywood. The Duchess of Sussex, who rose to fame as Rachel Zane in the hit legal drama Suits, was reportedly spotted filming her first new role in California this week.
According to reports from The Sun and Mirror US, Meghan was seen on set in Pasadena, California, on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, marking her first on-screen appearance since leaving the entertainment industry in 2018 following her engagement to Prince Harry.
Meghan Markle Returns to Acting After 8 Years
Sources close to the Duchess say Meghan has joined the cast of “Close Personal Friends,” an upcoming Amazon MGM Studios film that also stars Brie Larson, Lily Collins, Jack Quaid, and Henry Golding.
In the movie, Meghan is reportedly playing herself, a role described as a playful nod to her real-life persona. The film follows two couples — one famous, one ordinary — whose lives intertwine in unexpected ways.
“This is a massive moment for Meghan and signifies a return to doing what she truly loves,” an insider told The Sun.
“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.”
Support from Prince Harry
While details of the project remain tightly under wraps, sources say Prince Harry has been “incredibly supportive” of his wife’s creative comeback.
“Harry wants her to do whatever brings her joy,” the insider shared.
This support comes despite the Duke’s past admission in his 2023 memoir Spare that watching Meghan’s Suits scenes wasn’t always easy.
“I’d witnessed her and a castmate mauling each other in some sort of office conference room,” he wrote. “It would take electric shock therapy to get those images out of my head.”
Still, the couple appear to be in full alignment today as Meghan takes on new projects across film, television, and digital media.
From Suits to Stardom to Royal Life
Meghan Markle first rose to international fame for her role as Rachel Zane in Suits, appearing in over 100 episodes between 2011 and 2018. Her last film role was in the 2016 Hallmark movie Dater’s Handbook, where she played Cassandra Brand.
In November 2017, during her engagement interview with the BBC, Meghan announced that she would be retiring from acting to focus on her royal duties and humanitarian work. She filmed her final Suits episode shortly before her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018.
Over the years, Meghan has been candid about her relationship with Hollywood. During a 2022 interview with Variety, she reflected on how much the entertainment landscape has evolved:
“I left Suits right after the 100th episode in 2018. I didn’t think I’d ever be in the entertainment industry again. But the entire culture has changed. The ability to create zeitgeist moments like we had in the ’90s — where everyone tuned in together — doesn’t really exist anymore.”
Despite those changes, Meghan remained connected to storytelling, launching her own Netflix projects, podcasts, and media ventures under her and Harry’s Archewell Productions banner.
Why “Close Personal Friends” Marks a Major Shift
For many fans, Meghan’s reported casting in Close Personal Friends marks more than just a career move — it’s a full-circle moment. The film reportedly explores fame, relationships, and identity, themes that align with her own life experience.
While she hasn’t confirmed the role publicly, the move comes at a time when Meghan and Harry are expanding their entertainment footprint. In August 2025, the couple extended their multi-year deal with Netflix, continuing their work on documentaries and lifestyle projects, including “With Love, Meghan” and “Polo.”
Meghan’s Reflections on Acting and Confidence
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Earlier this year, on Emma Grede’s Aspire podcast, Meghan hinted that she still had fond feelings toward acting — and missed it “sometimes.”
“That is a lot to chip away at your self-esteem,” she said, recalling her early auditioning struggles. “When you’re so consumed by what everyone around you thinks of you, that can be a really hard way to live.”
However, she noted that her current creative work through producing and her lifestyle series has allowed her to reconnect with the parts of acting she loves most — storytelling, empathy, and connection.
“My Netflix show, With Love, Meghan, isn’t scripted, but it gives me a little piece of that world back,” she said. “It’s really great.”
Meghan and Harry’s New Hollywood Chapter
Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, the Sussexes have built an independent career in media, philanthropy, and advocacy. Through Archewell Productions, they’ve released critically acclaimed series like Harry & Meghan and are reportedly developing new content focused on women’s empowerment, environmental causes, and mental health.
Meghan’s reported film appearance suggests she’s once again finding balance between creative expression and her evolving public life — but this time, entirely on her own terms.
“When I met Harry, my focus shifted,” she told Variety. “But acting was my first love. It shaped how I understand people and the world. That doesn’t ever really leave you.”
A Carefully Planned Comeback
With Close Personal Friends set to be one of Amazon MGM’s most anticipated releases of 2026, Meghan’s participation — even in a cameo — signals both nostalgia and renewal.
Her decision to re-enter acting after eight years away reflects a measured, confident approach to her craft, one that balances her private family life with her passion for storytelling.
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