Meghan Markle is back on set.
Seven years since her last appearance on “Suits” aired — and about three different lifetimes in between, including stints as a working royal, a philanthropist and now lifestyle guru/entrepreneur — the Duchess of Sussex is making a movie.
While her husband, Prince Harry, is on a low-key visit to Toronto, Meghan is apparently on set in Pasadena, California. While nothing has been officially announced, several outlets reporting that she has a small part (as herself!) in the upcoming “Close Personal Friends.”
The film, which is an Amazon MGM Studios production, also stars Brie Larson, Lily Collins, Jack Quaid and Henry Golding. According to IMDB, it’s a comedy about two couples “one famous and one not” who quickly become very close.
It’s set in Santa Barbara, which also happens to be near where Meghan lives, meaning it doesn’t feel like a leap to assume her part, especially if she’s playing herself, is some sort of cameo (even a bit of satire?) to lend the flavour of a neighbourhood that’s most famous for its celebrity residents.
While she never explicitly phrased it as such, Markle all-but-retired from acting in 2018, when she married Prince Harry and took up being a royal full-time. Plans, to move swiftly past several years of turmoil and drama, seem to have changed since then.
“This is a massive moment for Meghan and signifies a return to doing what she truly loves,” a “studio source” told the Sun tabloid, who was first with this story. “She has been swamped with offers but this one felt right.”
Everyone involved has been “sworn to secrecy,” this insider went on to say, adding that Prince Harry is “supportive and quite simply wants Meghan to do whatever brings her joy.”
People quickly followed with an insider of their own who says the duchess was seen on set shooting yesterday. “She seemed very relaxed and happy,” they said. “She introduced herself to everyone and was very sweet and down-to-earth.”
Could this signal a larger return to the screen? Perhaps, says the Sun’s studio source. “It is Meghan’s way of gently putting her toe back in the water and seeing how she enjoys being back on set.”
She’s got a few other things on the go for now, anyway: Earlier this week, a gift box of a three of her lifestyle brand As Ever’s signature “fruit spreads” was named one of Oprah’s Favourite Things for 2025. There’s also an upcoming holiday special (and possible last episode, since there’s no word on a season three) of her Netflix show “With Love, Meghan” to come sometime later this month, exact date still TBD.