“Back to bit parts then?”- Netizens react as Meghan Markle is set to make acting comeback in new movie starring Lily Collins and Jack Quaid

Meghan Markle is set to make an acting comeback in a new movie, Close Personal Friends, starring Lily Collins and Jack Quaid. The news has been widely discussed online and has since become synonymous with the divided reaction to Markle's return to Hollywood after a long period of focusing on philanthropy, production, and business ventures.

Variety

@Variety

Meghan Markle is returning to acting with a cameo role in the movie “Close Personal Friends.” Lily Collins, Jack Quaid, Brie Larson and Harry Golding are starring in the comedy that is currently shooting around Los Angeles. https://t.co/N9oWN0L62H

One viral reaction summing up public sentiment:

“Back to bit parts then?”

E i n e z 🎬🏁

@Crespo1Ein

@Variety Back to bit parts then?

Early responses on the internet mainly focused on the extent of her participation. Several users wondered whether a cameo could be considered a proper return to acting, and a few pointed out the limited scope of her role.

Travelin' Shoes

@ShoesTravelin

@Variety A cameo appearance is hardly a "return to acting".

Working Class Princess

@Chi_WCP

@Variety I wouldn't necessarily call a cameo a return to acting but good for her if that's what she wants.

princess mufc

@princessmufc1

@Variety She's really trying hard to be relevant isn't she ,

However, despite skepticism surrounding the news, most of Markle's fans were excited about her cameo, considering it a refreshing and encouraging return to the entertainment industry.

@snow

@snowangel2077

@Variety I knew she would return. Good for her.

Nelly

@ValleyGirl629

@Variety I’m sat…just say when!

lovingnotfighting

@destinysdoor

@Variety Thank you for clarifying it’s a Cameo so folks won’t be expecting Meghan to have a starring role. Haters will try to do anything to talk crap about this woman.

Cheeeeeee!

@makinshiihappen

@Variety Been waiting for this💕

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Meghan Markle to make her on-screen return in Close Personal Friends

Meghan Markle is set to reappear on screen in Close Personal Friends, an ensemble comedy, produced by Amazon MGM Studios. The movie is being shot in California and is set to star Lily Collins, Jack Quaid, Brie Larson, and Henry Golding, directed by Jason Orley with a screenplay by Isaac Aptaker.

The plot itself is said to be based on a regular couple who accidentally become friends with a celebrity couple during their vacation in the city of Santa Barbara. As some commentators have pointed out, this is a thinly veiled reflection of Markle and her own existence in Montecito, California.

Editorialge

@editorialge

🎬 She’s back on screen! After 8 years, Meghan Markle makes her long-awaited return to acting — starring in Amazon’s newest film project. Don’t miss the details! Dive into the story behind Meghan’s big comeback! #MeghanMarkle #RoyalNews #AmazonStudios https://t.co/mJdfpicavJ

Markle’s involvement in the film is described as a cameo appearance, with the Duchess of Sussex playing herself. According to the sources mentioned by People, she appeared “relaxed and happy” on set, greeting cast and crew warmly and seeming “at ease” throughout filming.

Although her screen time is reportedly minimal, the cameo itself is symbolically important, as it marks her first acting performance since leaving Suits in 2018. Before joining the royal family, Meghan Markle was most notably recognized as Rachel Zane in the legal drama Suits, which she portrayed over seven seasons, and this role allowed her to become a recognizable figure in the television drama.

Meghan Markle told Variety in a 2022 interview that she has no intention of going back to acting:

“No. I’m done. I guess never say never, but my intention is to absolutely not.”

According to People, unnamed sources also suggest that Meghan Markle turned down multiple previous offers before accepting the project.

The film itself, led by a prominent ensemble, is said to combine humor and social satire, exploring themes of fame, friendship, and public perception. It is reported to have started production in late September 2025 and was scheduled for release through Amazon MGM Studios in 2026.

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Despite the shortness of Meghan Markle's cameo, her appearance has already sparked new interest among the population about her future career in acting and whether this cameo is a one-off creative decision or the beginning of a gradual return to the screen.