Adnkronos (Adnkronos) –
Netflix has dismissed allegations that Meghan Markle was being "used" to promote the series "The Gentlemen," just weeks after rumors surfaced that she might be joining the cast. Coinciding with the confirmation of Meghan's return to the UK with Prince Harry and their two children, rumors began circulating that the former actress would appear in the second season of the hit series.
Rumors about his presence were later denied; however, Netflix has now responded to the accusations. An inside source told the Times: "This isn't a series that needs casting for promotional purposes."
The streaming giant has clarified the company's position, stating that the production does not require casting for promotional purposes.
Previously, people close to the Duchess of Sussex had insinuated that the leaks about her possible addition to the cast were intended to compensate for an alleged drop in quality between the first and second seasons. Although the rumors were denied, the publicity generated by these leaks is said to have contributed to the high ratings of the second season.
A friend of the Duchess recently accused Netflix of “exploiting” Meghan, telling the Telegraph: “Some people in her entourage think she was used to promote the second season, because they knew it wasn’t as good as the first and had already commissioned a third season.
It's the oldest marketing trick in the book: getting a big name to read a script, then leaking the news that you're 'in talks' with him or her, when, in reality, you're not even that far along yet."
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