Meghan Markle is in talks to star as the 'ultimate temptress' in Guy Ritchie's hit Netflix series The Gentlemen, it was claimed last night.

It's understood the Duchess of Sussex has had 'preliminary conversations' to join the cast, which is in the process of being confirmed as filming for the third series looks set to get underway in the autumn.

A source told US entertainment website Deadline that talks with Meghan were in their 'very early stages' and added that a role has not yet been identified.

But insiders have claimed Meghan could play the role of the 'ultimate temptress' of the Netflix action comedy as she looks set to make a dramatic return to acting when she comes back to Britain with Prince Harry.

A source told The Sun: 'The gossip in TV circles is that Meghan could play the ultimate temptress, who puts the cat among the pigeons by seducing an aristocrat.'

They described it as 'perfect' for the Duchess with its huge budget and 'glossy production which is quintessentially British'.

'It would see her star opposite Theo James, who plays Eddie and he is one of the frontrunners to be the new James Bond,' they added.

'Everything about the project screams quality, but it is also one with a bit of an edge too.'

The Gentlemen, which stars Theo James as an army officer turned drug baron, became one of Netflix’s biggest hits of 2024, drawing 44million views in the first four weeks of its debut. It also stars Vinnie Jones and Kaya Scodelario as the daughter of Ray Winstone’s crime boss character.

The second series premieres on Netflix on September 3.

It follows the 2019 film of the same name, starring Matthew McConaughey, Michelle Dockery and Hugh Grant.

That was also a hit, grossing just over $115million at the box office, against a reported budget of $22million. In the film version, McConaughey plays a drug lord who tries to sell off his profitable marijuana business to a dynasty of billionaires.

It came as sources also claimed the duchess will be eyeing up a major part in a West End show when she moves back to Britain with Prince Harry next few weeks.

A former friend told the Daily Mail that she has ‘desperately wanted to be in a West End’ production for many years and ‘will certainly be speaking to people about a role’.

Another source in Theatreland said there were deafening rumours the former Suits actress wants to land a serious stage role in London upon her UK return.

The duchess – a former National Theatre patron – is known to be a fan of the theatre, attending several West End shows with Harry while living in Britain, including Hamilton, Tina: The Musical and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

After her last episode of Suits aired in 2018 and she joined the Royal Family, the 45-year-old duchess paused her acting career and has not had any parts since.

Sources have, however, told Australian outlet News.com.au that Meghan has been offered a part in an unnamed upcoming project based in the UK. Bronte Coy, the reporter behind the story, said Meghan being offered the role in the ‘top secret’ UK production had played a key part in the family’s decision to return.

She told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: ‘This is such a key part of the puzzle. I think when we all heard that news that Harry and Meghan were moving here, and within a matter of days, and the kids were enrolled in school, everyone was asking, what is Meghan going to be doing?’

Ms Coy added that the project is ‘significant’ and Meghan – who has a small part in the upcoming US film Close Personal Friends, making a cameo appearance as herself alongside Lily Collins and Brie Larson – is ‘very excited’, adding that more details will be released ‘relatively soon’.

Later, the journalist told ITV News: ‘We don’t know exactly what the project is, but it’s clearly significant enough and one that’s got her excited enough to be… pushed back to a country that I really think most of us didn’t expect she’d return to in any sort of permanent capacity.’ Sources close to the duchess did not deny the reports. Nearly a decade ago, Meghan said in a joint interview with Harry after their engagement in 2017 that she was happy to pause her acting career.

She said at the time: ‘I don’t see it as giving anything up. I just see it as a change. It’s a new chapter.’

Betting firm Ladbrokes is offering 80/1 odds on Meghan appearing on I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, 100/1 on EastEnders and 150/1 on Coronation Street. Meanwhile, the journalist closest to the couple, Omid Scobie, claimed they have been ‘slowly and methodically’ planning their move back to Britain

The British journalist said clues about the Sussexes leaving America after six years ‘have been there all along’ – including how they had reduced the size of their US office and rebranded their Archewell Foundation to Archewell Philanthropies.

Mr Scobie told ABC News: ‘This is definitely a couple that have been looking to make changes, for sure.’

The Daily Mail has approached the Sussexes' representative for comment. 

Netflix declined to comment.