Actors Reportedly Refuse to Play Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in New Show Amid Rising Backlash
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have faced criticism before, but now the backlash appears to be impacting their portrayals in entertainment as well. According to a shocking new claim, actors are steering clear of playing the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in satirical performances.
This unexpected revelation comes from BAFTA-winning photographer Alison Jackson, known for her royal impersonator work. Jackson is currently preparing a new stage show for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and she says casting Harry and Meghan lookalikes has proven to be near impossible.
Speaking to The Daily Mail, Jackson revealed she had no trouble finding impersonators for Prince William. “I have a couple of ‘Prince Williams’ who’ve come forward and they look quite good,” she explained. “But no ‘Meghan’ or ‘Harry’ has turned up.”
Jackson believes public opinion has soured to the point where people are actively avoiding being associated with the Sussexes, even in parody form.
“I think that people don’t like Meghan, they don’t trust her,” Jackson said bluntly. “They think she is an operator who sucks everything she can out of Harry.”
The photographer, known for creating staged images using celebrity lookalikes, suggested that Meghan’s strong personality may be part of the issue as well.
“As Meghan gets more and more assertive,” she noted, “the lookalikes disappear. They’ve probably all cut their hair short and look different.”
The statement has sparked fierce debate among royal watchers, especially as it comes just as Meghan celebrated her 44th birthday on August 4.
Although the Duchess of Sussex kept her birthday celebration relatively low-key, the news that actors are avoiding her role adds another layer of awkwardness to the occasion.
Meghan has had a busy year in the public eye. She launched her Netflix show With Love, Meghan and introduced her lifestyle brand As Ever, which includes products like strawberry jam and wine. She also released a podcast titled Confessions of a Female Founder.
However, despite her media ventures, public opinion around Meghan appears to remain sharply divided. Some see her as a bold entrepreneur, while others perceive her as out of touch or overly controlling.
Prince Harry has stood by her side through every phase of this journey, but their public image in the UK remains controversial, especially following their 2021 tell-all interview and 2023 Netflix docuseries.
Read More: Meghan Markle Turns 44 But Gets Royal Snub As Only These Two Royals Reach Out
Jackson’s struggle to find people willing to impersonate the couple suggests that their image may be far more damaged in the entertainment industry than previously thought.
This also comes at a time when the couple’s partnership with Netflix is reportedly nearing its end. Their multimillion dollar deal is set to expire in September.
Although With Love, Meghan is expected to continue for more seasons, insiders suggest that Netflix is focusing on lower-risk, brand-friendly content. Meghan’s solo projects may remain safe, but joint ventures with Harry are reportedly no longer a top priority for the platform.
Still, Meghan’s team insists she is determined to rebrand and reposition herself as a lifestyle and business influencer rather than just a royal rebel.
But with impersonators unwilling to play her, even in comedy, Meghan Markle is facing a new kind of PR challenge. When actors refuse to step into your shoes, even for satire, it may reflect just how polarizing your public persona has become.
Whether this trend continues remains to be seen, but for now, the Duchess of Sussex finds herself once again at the center of attention, not for what she said or did but for who refuses to pretend to be her.
