Theo James had a very cheeky response to speculation that Meghan Markle is in talks to join season three of Netflix's hit show, The Gentlemen.
It was originally reported that Meghan had preliminary conversations about a potential role in the show, which would mark her first significant acting role since her marriage to Prince Harry in 2018.
When Theo was recently asked about "a certain ex-royal" joining the Guy Ritchie crime drama, he had the perfect response.
"Yes, Fergie is joining. She'll be playing my love interest," the 41-year-old quipped to Town & Country, referencing Sarah Ferguson by her nickname.
Referring to the Meghan rumors, he added: "I think that was mainly a lot of hot air.
"At the moment, we're just trying to get as many eyes on season two, and then season three will happen soon," he continued.
"But in terms of story, we have the overarching ambition of where we're going to go. We're going to expand the world, go to different countries. But, in terms of the minutiae, I mean, it's still very much up in the air."
Theo was also asked to "set the record" straight about Meghan's potential casting during an interview with ExtraTV, and again, he jokingly referred to another ex-royal joining the show.
© WireImage"No. Prince Harry is playing one of my love interests," he said. "So that's the Meghan Markle thing."
Theo offered a more serious answer when quizzed by the Press Association, saying: "I think it's spurious rumors. I think she'd fit in well because she's actually from part of the royal family."
He added: "But no, I think the practicalities of that are impossible."
© Getty ImagesTheo isn't the only cast member to weigh in on the rumors. Kaya Scodelario told BBC News that discussing the speculation was "way above my pay grade," while new arrival Hugh Bonneville called it "genius marketing."
Manda Levin, Netflix's scripted chief in the UK, was a little more cryptic when asked whether Meghan would appear in the third season at the Edinburgh TV Festival on Wednesday, August 26, the same day that the Duchess returned to the UK with her family.
"All bets are off," Manda responded, according to Deadline.
© Getty ImagesA source close to the family told HELLO! previously: "There have been inquiries in the entertainment space recently, and things that she is considering, but nothing is firm yet. There are only conversations."
However, other reports suggested the offer had been "withdrawn," and any casting is yet to be officially confirmed.
The Gentlemen season three
© NetflixThe Gentlemen was officially renewed for a third season last month. Guy Ritchie said following the announcement: "The ambition of The Gentlemen has accelerated, the world has expanded and the consequences carry weight.
"A third season felt inevitable, and I'm looking forward to pushing the boundaries of it further."
Season two of the drama lands on Netflix on September 3. It premiered in 2024 and is a spin-off of Guy's 2019 film of the same name, which follows an American drug lord seeking to sell his cannabis empire in England.
