Meghan Markle was one of many names Guy Ritchie mentioned for The Gentlemen, according to an insider who says she could still have a role in the Netflix drama.

The Duchess of Sussex is thought to remain in talks to join the cast after Ritchie suggested her amongst other actresses while considering ideas for the third series of his gangster show.

A well-placed source told Variety that the former Suits star's potential involvement was an 'incredibly nascent concept' and was hardly considered 'real on any level'.

Ritchie is said to have mentioned Meghan as one of 'a smorgasbord of names', well before she and Prince Harry were revealed last week to be returning to Britain.

The insider also claimed the idea may have been discussed between the agents for Meghan and Ritchie, who are both represented by William Morris Endeavor (WME).

They agreed with claims that rumours could have been leaked by Meghan's team to signal her availability, and they would be 'stunned' if it did not come from her camp.

Scripts for series three of the show are still being written, so a role could be created for the 45-year-old duchess, with the source saying: 'I wouldn't rule out it happening.'

On Monday, a new full-length trailer for the upcoming second series starring Theo James and Kaya Scodelario was released by Netflix – but the insider said the cast and crew were 'bummed' at how the spotlight had shifted away from them.

It comes after Australian website News.com.au first reported last Friday that Meghan was eyeing an acting role as part of her move back to Britain with Harry.

Hollywood publication Deadline then claimed hours later that she was in preliminary talks over a possible role in a then-unconfirmed third series of the show.

But prominent royal author Tina Brown said on Saturday that the offer had already been withdrawn because the 'backlash was so intense it became untenable'.

The mystery deepened on Monday when Variety revealed the show had been renewed for a third season with scripts being finalised but the casting yet to be confirmed.

The publication also carried a quote from the show's creator Ritchie, but he made no mention of her.

Ritchie's statement said: '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.' 

Following this, People – which has close links to the Sussexes – said Meghan 'remains in talks despite recent reports to the contrary, though no deal has been finalised'.

A spokesman for Netflix declined to comment when contacted by the Daily Mail, while a representative for the Sussexes has not responded to requests for comment.

Some industry experts claimed talk of Meghan being linked with the show could have been leaked as a cynical PR tactic to create a buzz around her arrival in the UK.

Bosses at Netflix are believed to have been unaware of any potential offer to the duchess for The Gentlemen, suggesting she spoke directly with Ritchie.

Speculation has been mounting that these apparent conversations were used to make it appear that Meghan is in demand and her relationship with Netflix is strong and ongoing.

PR expert Mark Borkowski said he felt 'the timing of this has an ulterior motive to do what it's doing, to generate as much attention as possible without saying anything at all', given the revelations are happening at a quieter time of the news cycle in August.

Addressing claims that the leak was deliberate, he told the Daily Mail: 'It's totally plausible because there's not been a single quote from the production, so they're enjoying all the publicity, it's good for them.

'So there must have been - even if it was a stunt - a tacit arrangement that they were going to do this between publicists. What a good idea for everybody that we bask in the glow of attention.'

Sean O'Meara, managing director of the PR and content consultancy Essential Content, said it is 'not uncommon in the entertainment industry and even in sports, tech or politics, for representatives to leak developments that aren't even close to completion'.

And PR expert Andy Barr, senior communications manager at Season One Communications, said leaking apparent interest in an actor or actress is the 'oldest trick in the book that talent looking for work use'.

The Sussexes agreed a $100million deal with Netflix in 2020 then signed a new first-look contract last year, after the duchess's show With Love, Meghan was panned.

Meghan already has a small part in the upcoming US film Close Personal Friends, making a cameo appearance as herself alongside Lily Collins and Brie Larson.

She also appeared as a guest judge on MasterChef Australia last month, after filming the episode in Melbourne in April during a four-day tour of the country with Harry.

Other sources told the Daily Mail that Meghan will be eyeing up a major part in a theatre show. A former friend said she has 'desperately wanted to be in a West End' production for many years and 'will certainly be speaking to people about a role'.

The duchess – a former National Theatre patron – is known to be a big theatre fan and attended several West End shows with Harry while living in Britain, including Hamilton, Tina: The Musical and The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time.

Meghan had previously been known for her role in the popular US legal drama Suits, playing lawyer Rachel Zane for seven seasons until she became engaged to Harry.

But after her last episode aired in 2018 and she joined the Royal Family, the duchess paused her acting career and has not had any parts since.

Before meeting Harry, she had roles in CSI: Miami, the sci-fi show Fringe and movies such as Get Him To The Greek, Remember Me and Horrible Bosses. She was also a 'briefcase girl' – a model holding a suitcase of cash – on Deal Or No Deal.

But Meghan confirmed in a joint interview with Harry following their engagement in 2017 that she was happy to pause her acting career, saying: 'I don't see it as giving anything up. I just see it as a change. It's a new chapter.'

Then in 2022, Meghan insisted she had no plans to return to acting – telling Variety: 'I'm done. I guess never say never but my intention is to absolutely not.'

Separately today, sources close to Harry claimed he 'never really stopped missing home' after stepping down as a senior royal and leaving Britain for the US six years ago.

The duke is said to have 'missed that sense of connection and belonging' in the UK while building a new life in California with Meghan since 2020.

Harry also wants their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet to 'understand the world he grew up in and where their family comes from', according to insiders.

Now, the family are set to return to Britain where they will live for an 'extended period' of time, with the children enrolled in UK schools ready to start next month.

Sources, speaking to Sussex-friendly People, said the decision to move was 'taken as a family' and they want to 'give the kids the opportunity to be here'.

Meghan, who was born and raised in Los Angeles , is also feeling 'very fortunate that they're able to give Archie and Lilibet the opportunity to experience both worlds'.

Harry will also be involved in preparations for his next Invictus Games in Birmingham in July 2027, with the source saying he 'will be in the weeds on it every day'.

People separately quoted another source saying King Charles III wanted to see his estranged sons Harry and Prince William 'together over time' after the duke's return.

According to Harry's autobiography, Charles told his sons during a meeting after Prince Philip's funeral in 2021: 'Please, boys. Don't make my final years a misery.'

The brothers no longer speak, having fallen out around the time of Harry's 2018 wedding, with the relationship worsening post-Megxit after his accusations against the Royal Family in his Oprah interview, Netflix documentary and memoir Spare.

Meghan meanwhile has unveiled the latest addition to her As Ever range – Spiced Apple Butter.

The jar of 'orchard apples and fragrant spices' is being launched today, 'just in time for fall', with Meghan's brand saying the product captures the season's 'promise of crisp mornings and changing leaves just around the corner'.

She also posted an Instagram story in which she chuckled at what appeared to be a tea towel with the message: 'People who take care of chickens are literally chicken tenders'.

It follows news that the Sussexes' brood of chickens are remaining at their home in California to be cared for there.

Harry and Meghan have not commented on their reasons for relocating to Britain.