Meghan Markle Returns to Acting for the First Time in 8 Years

The Duchess of Sussex is reportedly making her return in a star-studded film currently shooting in California. She was recently spotted on set, and her husband is said to be on board with the career move.

Meghan Markle is set to appear in a new romantic comedy eight years after leaving Hollywood. The Duchess was spotted on the set of the Amazon MGM Studios film "Close Personal Friends" on Wednesday, November 5, in Pasadena.

The movie, which began filming in London this past September, stars Brie Larson, Lily Collins, and Jack Quaid. While their characters have yet to be revealed, Meghan will reportedly appear as herself.

"Meghan was on the set today," an insider told People on Wednesday. "She has a small part. She seemed very relaxed and happy. She introduced herself to everyone and was very sweet and down-to-earth."

Details about the upcoming film have remained under tight wraps, but according to The Hollywood Reporter, it centers on one couple that meets and befriends a celebrity couple while vacationing in Santa Barbara.

"Personal lines get crossed, among other things, and awkward hilarity ensues," the outlet reported. Meghan's role in "Close Personal Friends" comes after she announced her retirement from acting shortly after her engagement to Prince Harry in 2017 was made public.

"I don't see it as giving anything up. I just see it as a change," she said in her first joint interview with her now-husband that November. "It's a new chapter, right? And also, keep in mind, I've been working on [Suits] for seven years."

"We were very, very fortunate to have that sort of longevity on a series," she continued. "For me, once we hit the 100 episode marker, I thought, you know what, I've ticked this box, and I feel very proud of the work I've done there, and now it's time to work with [Harry] as a team."

Meghan's last role was on the acclaimed legal drama series, "Suits." She starred on the show as Rachel Zane for seven seasons, with her final episode airing in April 2018, just weeks before her royal wedding.

"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," a studio source told The Sun of her new part in "Close Personal Friends."

"It is Meghan's way of gently putting her toe back in the water and seeing how she enjoys being back on set," the source said. "Everyone involved is super-excited, and have been sworn to secrecy about her involvement."

Prince Harry is also reportedly supportive of her return to acting. "Prince Harry is, of course, really supportive and quite simply wants Meghan to do whatever brings her joy," the source added.

Meghan's onscreen career began in the '90s, when she appeared as an extra in "Married… With Children," and went on to take walk-on parts in several TV shows. She made her film debut in the 2005 rom-com, "A Lot Like Love," and had her first major role in 2006's "Deceit."

In 2011, she landed her role in "Suits," and continued taking small roles in films like "Horrible Bosses" and "Random Encounters." After stepping back from Hollywood and eventually her royal duties in 2020, she returned to the screen in her docuseries and lifestyle show, "With Love, Meghan."