Meghan Markle Poised for Hollywood Comeback, Claims Former Co-Star
A close friend and former Suits co-star has boldly predicted a triumphant return to acting for Meghan Markle, following the significant recalibration of her lucrative Netflix deal. Veteran actor Eric Roberts, brother of Julia Roberts, expressed his firm belief that the Duchess of Sussex’s Hollywood comeback will be nothing short of spectacular.
“She will come back,” Roberts stated emphatically on the red carpet at a recent charity gala, speaking alongside his casting director and manager wife, Eliza. “It is time. And Meghan needs to come back to work. I feel like her whole family will support it, and she is amazing,” Eliza added, reinforcing the sentiment.
The couple’s reflections on Markle’s professional future come amid reports that her exclusive production deal with Netflix, as well as a collaboration with her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard (formerly known as As Ever), has been significantly scaled back. While the initial reports suggested a blockbuster $100 million deal, industry sources now indicate it has been downgraded to a “first-look” agreement, allowing the brand to continue its independent ventures.
Eric Roberts, 69, who played the memorable role of the shady billionaire Charles Forstman on the hit legal drama Suits, developed a genuine friendship with Markle during their time working together on the USA Network show.
Royal Scrutiny and the “Alluring” Screen Persona
Eliza Roberts offered a compelling insight into the reasons behind Meghan Markle’s departure from Suits, suggesting that concerns within the Royal Family played a pivotal role. She claimed that the Duchess, then known for her role as paralegal Rachel Zane, stepped away due to the monarchy’s perceived unease with her character’s “very [alluring]” on-screen persona.
“It is tricky because of the monarchy,” Eliza explained. “Her role in Suits was very [alluring]. Her making love with another man, that was just – they’ve never seen anything like that. She worked so hard to get there. That was just too much.”
Eliza lamented the perceived notion that women should abandon their careers for marriage, stating, “Women don’t give up their jobs for a marriage anymore. I understand the intention, and she thought she’d be satisfied with doing good works in the world. But she needs to be acting. She is a young woman who needs to be acting.”
“Meghan is a star,” Eliza continued with conviction. “From the second you see her, she just has star quality. It doesn’t matter. It was always going to happen.”
Eric Roberts echoed this unwavering confidence in Markle’s potential to captivate audiences once more. “I think she should come back. I think she will come back,” he asserted. “And I think she’s going to be fantastic and blow everybody’s mind.”
A Pattern of Shifting Industry Partnerships
The past few years have presented a series of challenging moments for Meghan and Prince Harry, with several high-profile deals experiencing unforeseen hurdles and attracting critical commentary from industry insiders.
Their reported $20 million Spotify deal, for instance, culminated in the production of only one podcast series, Archetypes, before the partnership was amicably dissolved. Similarly, Meghan’s ambitious animated series for Netflix, titled Pearl, a project she described as a “passion project,” was cancelled before production could even begin, signalling a significant scaling back of their expansive partnership with the streaming giant. The exact valuation of the initial Netflix deal has been a subject of much speculation, with figures ranging from $30 million to $100 million, and recent reports from Variety suggesting a figure closer to $60 million.
These professional setbacks have been accompanied by public criticism, with one former Spotify executive infamously labelling the couple as “[expletive] grifters.” However, it is important to note that no evidence of wrongdoing has been presented against the former Royal couple.
Eric Roberts, whose extensive career boasts over 800 film credits including appearances in The Dark Knight and The Expendables, spoke glowingly of Markle’s personal character. He described her as “a really cool person, really easy, laid back, kind, smart.”
Praises for Character and Parenting Skills
The Roberts couple, who knew Meghan before her relationship with Prince Harry, were quick to praise her as a parent. “She’s a good mom. She is a caring, loving, kind mom. That’s all you need to know about somebody,” Eliza stated warmly. “And same with him.”
They expressed their conviction that a supportive Prince Harry would wholeheartedly back his wife’s potential career pivot. This comes after Markle stepped away from her acting career following her engagement to Prince Harry in 2017.
Eliza even mused on the possibility of the “magic” of Suits making a return, despite the ill-fated Los Angeles-based spin-off, Suits LA, being cancelled after just one season last year.
The power couple shared their candid thoughts on the sidelines of a glitzy event. Eric Roberts, a three-time Golden Globe nominee, was being honoured with a Legacy Award at Charmaine Blake’s “The Night Of Many Stars” gala in Los Angeles on March 15. Last year, the Duchess of Sussex was rumoured to have filmed a cameo appearance, playing herself, in the upcoming film Close Personal Friends, alongside a star-studded cast including Brie Larson, Lily Collins, Jack Quaid, and Henry Golding.
Renewed Hope for a Suits Reunion
The Roberts’ comments have ignited speculation about the potential for Rachel Zane’s return to the screen, with hints that a future Suits project might be green-lit. Eric Roberts, however, expressed his disappointment with the NBC reboot, Suits LA, calling it a “mistake” and a “boo-boo.”
Conversely, Eliza Roberts remained optimistic about the prospect of the original cast reuniting. “You never know,” she said. “They may have made offers. I think they thought starting fresh would avoid the comparison. Instead, that created the comparison. But I think they should try again. There’s magic there.”
The Roberts’ candid conversation took place before the luxurious gala, an event dedicated to supporting the Faber Ryan Youth Foundation, which empowers underserved youth through arts programs, mentorship, and enriching opportunities. Eric Roberts’ Legacy Award recognised his “extraordinary and enduring career in film and television spanning decades of acclaimed performances.”
Graciously accepting his award, Roberts attributed his success to his wife and his passion for his profession. “What do I owe my success to? My wife and the fact that I have the greatest job on the planet,” he shared with a smile.
A Nostalgic Look at a Changing Industry
Reflecting on his extensive career, Roberts expressed a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era of filmmaking. “The old days were more fun because they were more precious. Everything mattered more,” he reminisced. “But now that it’s all kind of like instant coffee, it’s about speed. It’s about getting it done in five minutes. It’s very ineffectual now. But it’s fun because it’s like a race.”
Eliza Roberts, 73, spoke with immense pride about her husband’s versatile career, highlighting his roles in films such as Runaway Train and The Specialist. “It’s the diversity,” she stated. “I love that he was the character in Suits, and two minutes later he’s the character in Righteous Gemstones. That’s like old-school acting, without any affectation. It just kind of emerges with good writing. And also, you appreciate it so much when you begin. The first part you get, you’re so elated. Trying to hang on to that feeling of really appreciating being a working actor, to me that is really important. It’s paramount. That’s the most important thing.”
Roberts received a standing ovation at the Oscar Sunday celebration, an event curated by Blake. Attendees enjoyed a lavish three-course dinner, premium gift bags, celebrity media interviews, and an after-party featuring a high-fashion runway presentation by Beatta J Collection.
