The Gentlemen Cast Dismiss Meghan Markle Casting Rumours
Theo James, Hugh Bonneville, Ray Winstone and Vinnie Jones addressed reports about the Duchess of Sussex at the show's London premiere.
The Premiere Comments
Cast members of the Netflix series The Gentlemen played down reports that Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, could join the show, speaking at its London premiere for the second season.
Theo James, who plays Duke Eddie Horniman, told reporters the idea was unworkable. The Independent quoted him saying: "I think it's spurious rumours."
The 41-year-old actor, known for the Divergent film trilogy, added that she would "fit in well because she's actually from part of the royal family", but said "the practicalities of that are impossible".
Other Cast Reactions
Ray Winstone, 69, who plays Robert "Bobby" Glass, the head of the cannabis operation at the centre of the story, joked to The Independent: "I don't even know if I'm doing (the third season)."
Vinnie Jones, who plays Geoff Seacombe, called the reports "hot air". Hugh Bonneville, the Downton Abbey actor who is joining the cast as aristocrat Lord Hawthorne, described the story as "genius marketing".
Bonneville, 62, added: "I suggested Nigel Farage, I think that's a great run-up. That would be very good." The BBC reported that James, Bonneville and presenter Maya Jama were among those at the premiere, where they spoke to the BBC's Noor Nanji.
The Reports and the Show
According to The Independent, reports had suggested the former Suits star was in preliminary talks to join the series, in what would be her first major acting role since her 2018 marriage to the Duke of Sussex. The BBC reported in August that it had learnt the Duchess was in talks to return to acting after she and Harry moved back to the UK.
The Independent said Tina Brown, the former editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair and New York Magazine, claimed last week that the role had been withdrawn following backlash over the casting. A Netflix executive, according to the same report, said "All bets are off" when asked whether the reports were true. Netflix has not confirmed any casting, and the sources do not say whether talks are continuing.
The Gentlemen is created, co-written and executive-produced by Guy Ritchie, and is a spin-off from his film of the same name. It follows Eddie Horniman, who inherits an estate hiding a cannabis business run by the Glass family, including Susie, played by Kaya Scodelario. The second series returns on Thursday.
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