Meghan Markle returns to acting with cameo in upcoming comedy

Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, is making her first return to acting in seven years with a small cameo in the film Close Personal Friends, currently shooting in Los Angeles, media reported Wednesday.

The comedy stars Lily Collins (Emily in Paris), Jack Quaid, Brie Larson, and Henry Golding. According to Variety, the film “revolves around a ‘regular’ couple that meets a celebrity couple while on a trip to Santa Barbara.” Markle, best known for her seven-season run on Suits, has largely stepped away from acting since marrying Prince Harry.

The couple, who live in California following a public rift with the British royal family, rely on a Netflix deal and Markle’s lifestyle brand for income. Their Netflix project, With Love, Meghan, features the duchess in a domestic, fictionalized setting and has been renewed for a second season, with a holiday special planned for December.

Despite her on-screen absence, Markle remains a prominent public figure. She and Prince Harry left royal duties in 2020 amid strained relations with the royal family, particularly with Prince William. Harry’s 2023 memoir, Spare, drew criticism from Buckingham Palace for its commentary on family members, including William, Catherine, and Queen Camilla.

The couple has expressed hopes of reconciliation. Harry recently met King Charles, who is undergoing treatment for an undisclosed cancer, marking one of the first public family interactions since the split. Meanwhile, Harry’s uncle, Prince Andrew, lost his royal titles last month following years of controversy related to his ties with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Markle’s cameo marks a notable return to the big screen for the duchess, who has balanced media ventures and her public persona with family life in California.