Meghan Markle is set to return to on-screen acting in a brief cameo for the Amazon feature Close Personal Friends, industry reporting confirmed. The comedy — filmed in and around Los Angeles — stars Lily Collins, Jack Quaid, Brie Larson and Henry Golding and follows a pair of ordinary travelers who strike up an awkward friendship with a celebrity couple in Santa Barbara. Markle’s appearance marks her first acting credit since stepping back from regular screen roles more than seven years ago, while production continues under director Jason Orley. Amazon MGM declined to comment on the casting.
Key Takeaways
- Meghan Markle will appear in Close Personal Friends in a small cameo; production is currently shooting around Los Angeles.
- The film’s principal cast includes Lily Collins, Jack Quaid, Brie Larson and Henry Golding, with supporting names Melissa Villaseñor, Natasia Demetriou, Anna Konkle, Patti Harrison, Jack Shalloo and Dustin Demri-Burns.
- Jason Orley directs from a screenplay by Isaac Aptaker, who co-originated the story with Orley; Aptaker and Elizabeth Berger are producing.
- The narrative centers on a ‘‘regular’’ couple who meet a celebrity pair on a trip to Santa Barbara, leading to crossed boundaries and awkward encounters.
- Markle previously starred seven seasons on Suits and appeared in films including Horrible Bosses and Remember Me; she has not taken an acting role in over seven years.
- Archewell Productions renewed a first-look arrangement with Netflix in August; through that relationship Markle has executive-produced series such as Polo and Live to Lead and her lifestyle show With Love, Meghan recently released a second season.
- Amazon MGM provided no statement to reporters when asked about Markle’s cameo.
Background
Meghan Markle built her early career in North American television and film, most prominently with a seven-season run on the legal drama Suits before marrying Prince Harry in 2018. After marriage and the couple’s 2020 announcement to step back from senior royal duties and split time between Santa Barbara and the U.K., Markle shifted much of her public effort toward producing and charitable initiatives rather than acting. Through Archewell Productions, she has moved into executive production for documentary and lifestyle programming, working with partners including Netflix.
The creative team behind Close Personal Friends has prior collaborative credit: Orley, Aptaker and Berger worked together on Amazon MGM’s rom-com I Want You Back, which helped establish their working relationship. The new project’s premise — a collision of ordinary and celebrity lives — fits a broader trend in contemporary comedy that examines fame, privacy and social friction. Industry observers note that cameo appearances by public figures are increasingly used to generate early publicity in ensemble comedies.
Main Event
Close Personal Friends is in active production around Los Angeles, with on-location shooting and presumably pick-ups planned as the ensemble completes principal photography. Casting notices and on-set sightings prompted reporting that Markle would make a short appearance rather than carry a leading role. The film’s plot, as described by production sources, places a ‘‘normal’’ couple on holiday in Santa Barbara where they befriend a celebrity pair; boundaries blur and social awkwardness escalates as friendships intensify.
Director Jason Orley is working from a screenplay written by Isaac Aptaker, who also collaborated on the story; Aptaker and Elizabeth Berger serve as producers. The creative team has framed the picture as a character-driven comedy that relies on ensemble interplay, a format that often accommodates surprise cameos without shifting the central narrative. Multiple supporting performers are attached, including SNL alum Melissa Villaseñor and British comedy actors such as Natasia Demetriou and Dustin Demri-Burns.
Production sources conveyed that Markle’s appearance is intended as a brief, notable beat within the film rather than a recurring performance. The cameo reportedly leverages Markle’s public profile as a former TV actor turned global public figure, a casting choice that aligns with the movie’s thematic interest in blurred public-private boundaries. Amazon MGM’s decision not to comment publicly was noted by reporters seeking confirmation of casting and role size.
Analysis & Implications
Markle’s return to a scripted screen role — even in cameo form — is significant because it signals a measured re-entry into acting while she continues to expand her work behind the camera. Her move into executive production through Archewell and partnerships with streaming platforms has already shifted her professional identity away from serial television performer toward content creator and curator. A cameo allows her to generate publicity and reestablish an on-screen presence without committing to a long-term series or lead role.
For Amazon MGM and the film’s producers, securing a high-profile cameo can amplify early media attention and bolster festival or platform placement discussions. Cameos by recognizable figures can also broaden a movie’s demographic reach, drawing viewers who might otherwise skip a character-driven indie-style comedy. However, reliance on star cameos carries risks: if the appearance overshadows the story, critics may view it as stunt casting rather than an organic creative choice.
There are also reputational considerations. Markle’s public profile is unique because her transition from actress to member of the royal family and then to a public figure with a media production arm invites heightened scrutiny. Any return to acting, even briefly, may prompt disproportionate coverage that focuses as much on her biography as on the film itself. Producers must therefore balance promotional benefits with the likelihood of tabloid and social media amplification.
Comparison & Data
| Credit | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Suits | TV series | Starred for seven seasons |
| Horrible Bosses / Remember Me | Feature films | Supporting film credits prior to royal marriage |
| Close Personal Friends | Feature (cameo) | Filming in Los Angeles; cameo reported |
The table above places Markle’s upcoming cameo alongside her prior screen work to highlight scale and role type. While Suits was an extended television commitment spanning multiple seasons, Close Personal Friends is positioned as a short-form on-screen return. The contrast underscores how public figures can transition between recurring roles and targeted appearances without resuming prior career trajectories.
Reactions & Quotes
Reporters and outlets sought comment from the studio and from Markle’s representatives while the production was underway; the responses (or lack thereof) framed early coverage.
“It’s a new chapter, right? 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 Markle, quoted to Page Six
Variety has confirmed Meghan Markle will make a small cameo in the Amazon feature Close Personal Friends.
Variety (entertainment reporting)
Amazon MGM had no comment when approached by reporters seeking confirmation of Markle’s role.
Amazon MGM (studio statement to Variety)
Unconfirmed
- The precise length and narrative significance of Markle’s cameo have not been publicly disclosed.
- No official release date or distribution plan for Close Personal Friends has been announced.
- Whether Markle’s appearance is linked contractually or strategically to her company’s deals with other platforms remains unverified.
Bottom Line
Meghan Markle’s cameo in Close Personal Friends represents a cautious, publicity-generating return to acting that aligns with contemporary patterns of high-profile figures taking selective on-screen roles. The film’s ensemble format and comedic premise make it an apt vehicle for a brief appearance without requiring a full-time acting commitment. For Markle, the cameo complements her ongoing production work and could reopen avenues for occasional acting while she continues to prioritize producing and philanthropic projects.
From a studio perspective, the casting offers promotional lift for an Amazon MGM feature in production and creates a moment likely to attract media attention. Observers should watch for official confirmations on role size, release timing and promotional strategy; until the studio or creators issue fuller details, much of the public narrative will rely on reporting and on-set sightings.