The Gentlemen star Theo James is clearing the air surrounding Meghan Markle’s involvement in the project.
Amid rumours suggesting that the Duchess of Sussex was in talks for the show's third season in the wake of her return to the UK with Prince Harry, James has dismissed the speculations.
Theo James reacts to Meghan Markle rumours
In an interview with Town & Country, James was asked about "a certain ex-royal" joining The Gentlemen.
"Yes, Fergie is joining," James joked. "She'll be playing my love interest."
He then added, "No, I think [reports of Markle joining the show] was mainly a lot of hot air."
"At the moment, we're just trying to get as many eyes on season two, and then season three will happen soon," the actor continued.
Keeping all the possible doors open, he added, "In terms of the minutiae, I mean, it's still very much up in the air."
The same clarity was echoed by Netflix's scripted chief in the UK, Manda Levin, who said, "All bets are off", when asked about Meghan casting rumours at the Edinburgh TV Festival last month.
A television role would mark a major shift for the Duchess, who left acting after starring as Rachel Zane on Suits amid her romance with Prince Harry.
Her work now includes Archewell Productions, which has a multi-year first-look deal with Netflix covering film and television projects.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's UK return
The Gentlemen rumours ignited after it was reported that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are returning to the UK with their two children after almost six years.
Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet's schooling
Their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, are due to start at a British school this month, prompting one of the schools to issue a letter addressing the rumours.
Ahead of the start of term, a preparatory school in Oxfordshire revealed in a letter that "despite the gossip" there had been "no application" for Archie and Lilibet to attend the school.
The letter continued that the school's admissions team was remaining "ever vigilant".
Notably, Archie, seven, is entering Year 3, and Lilibet, five, is starting Year 1.
The name of the school the pair will be attending has not been revealed due to security concerns.
