Meghan Markle Returns to Acting for the First Time Since Royal Life in Amazon MGM’s ‘Close Personal Friends,’ Joining Brie Larson, Lily Collins, and an All-Star Cast
Meghan Markle is officially back in front of the camera. Nearly seven years after stepping away from Hollywood to become a member of the British royal family, the Duchess of Sussex has quietly returned to acting — and this time, she’s doing it entirely on her own terms.
On November 5, Meghan, 44, was spotted on the Pasadena, California set of Close Personal Friends, an upcoming film from Amazon MGM Studios. The movie features a powerhouse ensemble cast that includes Oscar winner Brie Larson, Emily in Paris star Lily Collins, The Boys actor Jack Quaid, and Crazy Rich Asians favorite Henry Golding. According to People, Meghan will make a special cameo appearance in the film — playing herself.
Set photos reportedly showed Meghan arriving on set with a small team, dressed in an effortlessly chic neutral blazer and crisp white blouse, smiling as she greeted cast and crew. Sources on set described her as “calm, professional, and incredibly warm.” One insider told People, “She looked genuinely happy — relaxed, comfortable, and confident. You could tell she was excited to be there.”
Close Personal Friends is directed by Jason Orley, best known for his work on I Want You Back and Big Time Adolescence. Written by Isaac Aptaker and Elizabeth Berger — the screenwriting duo behind Love, Simon and This Is Us — the comedy follows a young Los Angeles couple who unexpectedly befriend a glamorous celebrity pair during a vacation. The film is expected to explore themes of friendship, fame, and authenticity in the social media age.
While Meghan’s role is said to be brief, her inclusion immediately raised the movie’s global profile. For fans, it marks her first official on-screen performance since 2018, when she bid farewell to her breakout television role as Rachel Zane on Suits before her royal wedding to Prince Harry. For the entertainment industry, it’s an intriguing signal — that Meghan Markle, once one of Hollywood’s rising stars turned Duchess, is stepping back into the industry she left behind, but in a much more controlled and empowered way.
According to multiple reports, Meghan’s decision to return to acting has been in discussion for over a year. Sources close to her say she was drawn to Close Personal Friends because of its smart, satirical tone and its message about navigating fame and identity — themes that resonate deeply with her own life experiences. “It’s a full-circle moment,” said one entertainment insider. “She’s been exploring creative work behind the camera for a few years, but this was something that felt natural — lighthearted, meaningful, and perfectly timed.”
Indeed, since stepping away from royal duties in 2020, Meghan has focused heavily on production work with Prince Harry through their company, Archewell Productions. The couple signed a multi-year deal with Netflix and Spotify, producing documentaries, interviews, and family-focused projects. Meghan’s Netflix docuseries Live to Lead and her podcast Archetypes both explored leadership, empowerment, and the challenges of being misunderstood — themes that have been constant throughout her journey.
Still, acting was her first love. Long before she became the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan was a working actress in Hollywood. She landed small roles in shows like CSI: NY, Fringe, and 90210 before securing her career-defining role in Suits in 2011. Over the course of seven seasons, she built a devoted fanbase, known for her charisma, sharp wit, and screen presence. When she announced her engagement to Prince Harry in 2017, fans mourned what they thought was the end of her entertainment career.
Now, nearly a decade later, her return feels both nostalgic and refreshing. “It’s not a comeback for fame,” one source close to the production told Variety. “It’s a creative expression — a moment of joy. Meghan isn’t chasing roles or planning a Hollywood takeover. She’s picking projects that align with who she is now.”
Reports indicate that Meghan’s cameo scenes were shot over two days at a private location in Pasadena. She was said to be “completely professional,” easily slipping back into the rhythm of set life. Brie Larson and Lily Collins, who both star as the film’s lead characters, were reportedly thrilled to work alongside her. “Brie made sure to welcome Meghan personally,” said a crew member. “They had instant chemistry and spent time chatting between takes about the script and motherhood.”
Industry observers see this project as a strategic move — not a full acting revival, but a carefully chosen step that allows Meghan to merge her Hollywood roots with her modern-day public persona. “This isn’t Meghan auditioning for validation,” noted one entertainment journalist. “It’s Meghan defining her creative voice again, outside of the royal bubble, without apology.”
Since moving to Montecito, California, with Prince Harry and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, Meghan has taken her time reestablishing her creative identity. Unlike the early frenzy that surrounded her royal exit, her latest projects have been characterized by intentionality — fewer announcements, more substance, and quiet confidence.
The Duchess has also been building relationships in Hollywood’s inner circles, attending private networking events and quietly developing scripted projects under Archewell. Rumors of her return to acting have swirled for months, but insiders say she was waiting for “something authentic and fun.” Close Personal Friends, with its female-driven cast and commentary on modern celebrity, checked both boxes.
The film’s producers have not confirmed a release date, but it’s expected to premiere on Prime Video in late 2025. Given the attention surrounding Meghan’s involvement, Amazon MGM is likely to launch a major promotional campaign once post-production wraps. For fans, anticipation is already building — not only to see Meghan’s cameo but to witness her re-entry into an industry she once left behind.
Public reaction has been a mix of excitement and curiosity. On social media, hashtags like #MeghanMarkleReturns and #ClosePersonalFriends began trending within hours of the news breaking. Many praised her decision, calling it a “power move” and “a reclaiming of her narrative.” Others noted the irony that Meghan, who spent years battling the pressures of fame, is now playing herself in a movie that appears to explore the same subject.
For her supporters, however, that irony is exactly what makes the moment powerful. Meghan has always championed the importance of self-expression and reinvention — values that have defined her since long before royal life. By stepping back into acting now, she’s proving that her past, present, and future can coexist on her terms.
As one former Suits colleague told People, “She always loved the craft — the collaboration, the creativity, the storytelling. Acting was never just a job for Meghan; it was how she connected with people. This moment doesn’t feel like a comeback. It feels like home.”
Whether Close Personal Friends is a one-time return or the beginning of something more, one thing is certain — Meghan Markle has stepped into a new chapter with grace, confidence, and a renewed sense of creative purpose. For years, she’s lived under extraordinary scrutiny. Now, she’s choosing the spotlight again — but this time, she’s the one calling the shots.
Her story has never been about choosing one path over another. It’s about transformation — from actress to duchess to advocate and, now, once again, an artist. In her own quiet, determined way, Meghan Markle is rewriting what reinvention looks like. And once again, the world is watching.
