Meghan Markle has made her return to acting after eight years, appearing on the set of the upcoming Amazon MGM Studios film Close Personal Friends in Pasadena, California. The Duchess of Sussex will play herself in a small role alongside stars Brie Larson, Lily Collins, Jack Quaid, and Henry Golding. The project marks her first on-screen acting gig since leaving Suits in 2018.
Background on Meghan Markle's Return
Meghan Markle, known for her role as Rachel Zane on the legal drama Suits from 2011 to 2018, stepped away from acting following her marriage to Prince Harry in 2018. The couple relocated to Montecito, California, after stepping back from senior royal duties in 2020. In recent years, Markle has focused on non-acting ventures, including her lifestyle brand As Ever, the Netflix series With Love, Meghan, and the podcast Confessions of a Female Founder. Despite stating in 2022 that she had no intention of returning to acting, she has now joined the cast of Close Personal Friends, directed by Jason Orley and written by Isaac Aptaker.
On-Set Details
Markle was photographed on November 5, 2025, arriving at the Amazon MGM Studios basecamp in Pasadena. Dressed in a button-down shirt, white maxi skirt, black sunglasses, and tan sandals, she entered a Range Rover and was driven to a filming location at a sprawling estate. Reports indicate she waved to crew members before shooting a scene by a swimming pool. An insider told People, "Meghan was on the set today. She has a small part. She seemed very relaxed and happy. She introduced herself to everyone and was very sweet and down-to-earth."
Film Overview
Close Personal Friends is a romantic comedy centered on two couples—one famous and one not—who meet during a trip to Santa Barbara, leading to crossed personal lines and awkward hilarity. Markle portrays herself in the project. A source close to the production shared with The Sun, "This is a massive moment for Meghan and signifies a return to doing what she truly loves. She has been swamped with offers but this one felt right. It is Meghan’s way of gently putting her toe back in the water... Prince Harry is, of course, really supportive and quite simply wants Meghan to do whatever brings her joy." No release date has been announced.