Why is Meghan Markle’s acting comeback already in trouble? Insiders call her performance ‘a cardinal sin’— find out why

After nearly a decade away from the screen, Meghan Markle has quietly returned to acting. But early reactions from those familiar with the project suggest the comeback may not be going as smoothly as expected.

According to RadarOnline.com, insiders connected to the production of an upcoming film have shared blunt opinions about Markle’s performance. One source went as far as to say her acting made Kim Kardashian “look like an Oscar-winner,” a comparison that quickly caught attention online.

Meghan Markle, 44, is set to appear in Close Personal Friends, a feature film starring Lily Collins, alongside Brie Larson and Jack Quaid. The project marks her first on-screen appearance since leaving the legal drama Suits in 2017, shortly before marrying Prince Harry, 41.

While the role is described as a cameo, its timing has made it especially notable. Markle’s return to acting comes during a period of change for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, making the move feel both symbolic and carefully planned.

A source familiar with the production told the portal that there was strong curiosity about how Markle would perform after such a long break. The insider said, “There was a lot of curiosity about how she would read on camera after so many years away. The genuine response was one of surprise, but unfortunately not a positive one in the end, as the performance came across as rigid and overly aware of itself.”

The same source added that jokes quickly began circulating on set. “There are jokes going around that, by comparison, it is so wooden it will make Kim Kardashian’s acting seem almost awards-level.”

Another source with knowledge of Close Personal Friends said Markle was essentially playing herself in the film. Even so, the insider claimed the performance did not land well. “She isn’t even very good at that,” the source said.

They added, “Skilled actors and comics like Larry David can send themselves up on camera, but Meghan just doesn’t have the irony or acting chops to carry it off. She just came across as super-wooden and hyper-aware of the cameras – a cardinal sin in big-screen acting.”

Before becoming royalty, Markle’s acting career included small roles in shows like CSI: NY and General Hospital, as well as appearances in romantic TV movies. Her most well-known role was Rachel Zane in Suits, though critics at the time noted she was mainly positioned as a romantic interest rather than a dramatic lead.

A third source who observed Markle on set said, “It was clear she wanted to make a point by taking on the role, but acting is something that needs constant practice, and she has been away from it for a long time. Next to experienced actors, the gap was hard to miss.” The insider stressed there was no hostility, only “surprise at how tentative she appeared.”

Markle’s return comes as the Sussexes’ Netflix deal has shifted from a reported $100 million contract to a first-look arrangement. Her lifestyle brand and media ventures have also drawn heavy criticism, leading some to view the acting cameo as a strategic step back into Hollywood.