Meghan Markle famously appeared in the American TV legal drama Suits playing Rachel Zane from 2011 until 2018 – but she decided to retire from acting when she married Prince Harry

Before she became the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle enjoyed a successful career as an actress. She appeared as Rachel Zane in Suits for a total of seven series – but retired from acting when she married Prince Harry in 2018.

Following the couples’ departure from the Royal Family, there has been much speculation as to what Meghan’s future involves – with speculation that she will make a return to Hollywood. It’s a subject she has spoken out on before – and her response was blunt. During an interview with Vanity Fair in October 2022, shortly after the Queen’s death, Meghan was asked about her former career.

“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; streamers have changed things. The ability to create zeitgeist moments like we had in the ’90s — where everyone would tune in at the same time for a show or gather for one moment? — that doesn’t happen anymore.

“When I was doing Suits, that character, Rachel Zane, was in your living room with you while you were in your pajamas eating Chinese takeout. That’s how connected the experience felt then. But to create a cultural moment or conversation requires something different today. Podcasting has been really interesting in that way. It might be one of the only remaining forums where people are alone to listen. Where else do you have that opportunity?”

The Duchess was then asked directly if she would ever consider going back to acting. She answered: “No. I’m done. I guess never say never, but my intention is to absolutely not.” It comes after Netflix’s chief content officer Bela Bajaria declared that the Sussexes – who are locked into a contract with the streaming platform until 2025 – are working on “a couple of unscripted things” including a film and a series that are all in “very early development”.

Asked at a preview event in Hollywood what was next for Prince Harry and Meghan, she replied: “Oh, what are they working on? They have a couple of unscripted things they’re working on with Brandon.” She added: “And they actually have, like, a bunch of development, they have a movie in development, a (scripted) series that they’re working on. So all very early development, with a movie, a TV show and a couple of unscripted shows. But yeah, the movie’s great.”