Will Meghan Markle return to showbiz or join politics? Choices galore but public response will shape future
Meghan Markle's blockbuster interview with Oprah Winfrey continues to make headlines as news and entertainment outlets continue to churn new stories around it. Op-eds and guest columns have been in full swing and it isn't long before the topic switches to Meghan's future in the US. For the Duchess especially, the journey of her getting back to showbiz might not be as challenging. That said, it isn't going to be a cakewalk either.
The challenge isn't so much in the projects that would come her way, but the receptions to them, as it would determine her way forward. Meghan is no stranger to acting, especially after a good seven seasons of 'Suits' - the hit legal drama starring an ensemble cast of Gabriel Macht, Sarah Rafferty, Patrick J Adams, Gina Torres, Amanda Schul, and Rick Hoffman. This coupled with a handful of movie and television projects has assured that the duchess has the requisite acting chops to fashion a Hollywood revival.
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Add to this the heightened celebrity status. Meghan now has a healthy and favorable 67% rating in the US, a percentage that saw a bump after her interview with Oprah, according to Morning Consult. This would mean a flood of incoming offers for the 39-year-old to choose from. However, the genre she opts for is purely her choice. Whether this makes her 'Real Housewives' material, or maybe a Marvel/DC superhero is debatable, but the fact of her now being a sought-after actress remains.
That said, there are also reports that say Meghan might not really return to acting at all. Variety reported she had parted ways with her longtime agent, Nick Collins of The Gersh Agency. Sources close to her have revealed she is looking at more documentaries "to elevate their topics."
Meghan and Harry's content label, Archewell Productions, will be their focus for the foreseeable future, especially after the much touted $100 million deal with Netflix last September. The sister entity of the couple's nonprofit organization, Archewell Foundation, has an agreement with the streamer to produce scripted series, docu-series, documentaries, features and children's programming, according to the site.
The biggest challenge, even if Meghan decides to get back to acting at some point, is the reception, when looked at from a global perspective. It's no secret there's no love lost between her and British media after the Oprah interview. Her popularity rating in the UK has tanked with most Britons still showing their support for their queen. However, insiders in Hollywood say Meghan and Harry are 'dream projects.'
"The social justice elements of this story as a woman of color profiled by the monarchy, combined with the mental health aspect and the aesthetic of their global celebrity? Forget it. Home run," a content executive who works with major studios told Variety. This is a clear indication the Duchess will not have any trouble roping in projects.
What's equally interesting is the political career that Meghan is considering. According to royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams, Meghan could also have an active career in politics. Speaking to Express, Fitzwilliams said: "Meghan is a very articulate activist. She began activism when she was little, she's done a great deal over the years. What I strongly suspect and also Harry has been involved in several top charities. There's no doubt whatsoever that matters in future years could lead to Meghan having a politicial career or a career with a political dimension because she's an American citizen. We simply don't know."
Hollywood, political activist or just Meghan Markle, the options are open, but what she picks is anyone's guess.