It seems Meghan Markle is stepping back into a familiar spotlight.
The Duchess of Sussex has returned to set for Close Personal Friends, an upcoming comedy from Amazon MGM Studios. Filming took place this week in Pasadena, California, with Meghan playing herself alongside a Hollywood-heavy cast that includes Brie Larson, Lily Collins, Jack Quaid and Henry Golding.
“Meghan was on the set today,” an insider told People.
“She has a small part. She seemed very relaxed and happy. She introduced herself to everyone and was very sweet and down-to-earth.”
According to a studio source quoted by The Sun, the project marks a carefully considered return to the work that first made her a household name.
“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.”
The insider added, “It is Meghan’s way of gently putting her toe back in the water and seeing how she enjoys being back on set. Everyone involved is super-excited, and have been sworn to secrecy about her involvement.”
And, as always, she has royal support behind the scenes.
“Prince Harry is, of course, really supportive and quite simply wants Meghan to do whatever brings her joy,” the source said.
The film itself, which was first announced in August, follows a couple who befriend a celebrity duo during a trip to Santa Barbara. Fittingly, that’s the same Californian enclave Meghan and Harry now call home. The pair relocated to Montecito in 2020 after stepping back from their royal duties, where they live with their children, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4.
For Meghan, it’s a full-circle moment. Before palace life, she spent seven years as Suits’ beloved paralegal Rachel Zane, before leaving the show after announcing her engagement to Harry. The two met in 2016, married in 2018, and have since built a life on their own terms.
Earlier this year, she hinted at a renewed pull toward creative work while discussing the making of her lifestyle series With Love, Meghan during an appearance on the Aspire with Emma Grede podcast.
“You know what, actually, having a large team, being back on set with With Love, Meghan was great, because I realised how much I missed my crew. I love being around a crew,” she said.
“I think for me, having the series, even though it wasn’t scripted, was really great to get that piece back. But then also building my own business, you have a team, and that’s really what I was craving.”
This will be Meghan’s first acting role since leaving her role on Suits eight years ago.
