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Meghan Markle Netflix Promotions
Friends claim Netflix used Meghan Markle to promote Guy Ritchie's The Gentlemen series.
In brief
Friends claim Netflix used Meghan Markle to promote Guy Ritchie's The Gentlemen series. Meghan Markle's friends say Netflix leveraged her potential role in The Gentlemen season two to boost publicity despite her limited involvement. Originally reported by Dailymail.
Meghan Markle friends claim
Close friends of Meghan Markle say Netflix used her to promote Guy Ritchie's The Gentlemen series.
“Meghan Markle was 'used' by Netflix to promote Guy Ritchie's series The Gentlemen”
Netflix promotion claims
Friends claim Netflix revealed Meghan's potential involvement to boost The Gentlemen season two publicity.
“Netflix knew season two of the show was not 'as good as the first season'”
Season two details
The Gentlemen season two premiered last month with Theo James and Kaya Scodelario.
“Season two of The Gentleman, staring Theo James and Kaya Scodelario, premiered last month”
Public reaction
Meghan's return to acting was stunted after public criticism over casting plans.
“But less than one day after news of the talks was disclosed, Meghan's return to acting was stunted”
Previous acting career
Meghan starred in Suits for seven seasons before joining the Royal Family.
“Before her marriage to Harry, the Duchess starred in the popular US legal drama Suits”
Meghan's return
Meghan recently returned to acting with small roles in Close Personal Friends and MasterChef Australia.
“She has recently dabbled in a return to acting - having a small part in the upcoming US film Close Personal Friends”
Netflix deal lapse
Meghan's Netflix deal lapsed after her lifestyle show With Love, Meghan ended.
“Meghan's Netflix deal lapsed last year after her lifestyle show, 'With Love, Meghan' lapsed”
Netflix's strategy
Netflix used Meghan's potential role to boost season two ratings despite low expectations.
“Netflix knew season two of the show was not 'as good as the first season' and they had 'already commissioned a third' series”
Ratings drop
The Gentlemen season two had 3 million British viewers a week compared to 3.5 million for season one.
“Audience figures showed official ratings for The Gentlemen dropped by approximately 15 per cent from the debut of the first season”
Meghan's caution
Meghan was very cautious about reading scripts due to potential leaks to the press.
“Whatever Meghan might star in would 'attract huge interest'”
Netflix's goal
Netflix aimed to gain publicity and higher viewing figures for The Gentlemen season two.
“Netflix ultimately 'got what it wanted' - publicity and higher viewing figures for the new season”
Season two impact
The Gentlemen season two had lower viewership than season one despite Meghan's involvement.
“The first episode of season two had around three million British viewers a week following its release to Netflix”
Meghan's past statements
Meghan previously said she had no plans to return to acting after her Royal Family role.
“In 2022, Meghan insisted she had no plans to return to acting, telling Variety magazine: 'I'm done.'”
Netflix's marketing
Netflix used the 'in conversation' strategy to generate buzz for The Gentlemen season two.
“It's the oldest marketing trick in the book: get a big name to read a script, then leak that you're 'in conversation' with them”
Sour taste
Meghan's friends claim the experience left a sour taste in the Sussex camp.
“They also claimed the ordeal has 'left a bit of a sour taste in the Sussex camp's mouth'”
Netflix's deal
Meghan signed a $100 million five-year deal with Netflix in 2020 that lapsed last year.
“The Duchess previously had a longstanding relationship with Netflix, signing a $100million five-year deal with the service in 2020”
The key point
Meghan Markle's friends say Netflix leveraged her potential role in The Gentlemen season two to boost publicity despite her limited involvement.
