Meghan Markle is reportedly set to star in Close Personal Friends, her first acting role in eight years. But long before the royal tours and royal exodus, the duchess built a Hollywood career that was quietly ambitious, sometimes rocky, and surprisingly varied.
She is said to be returning to acting alongside Lily Collins, Brie Larson and Jack Quaid in the Amazon MGM Studios production Close Personal Friends, reportedly playing… herself.
The comedy follows two couples where one partner is famous and the other is not. A source told The Sun: “This is a massive moment for Meghan and signifies a return to doing what she truly loves.
She has been apparently swamped with offers but this one felt right. Prince Harry is said to be really supportive and quite simply wants Meghan to do whatever brings her joy.”
Here’s a look back at some of her most notable roles - and some of the cringiest - before royal life changed the game.
CSI: NY (2006) - Veronica Perez
Markle’s first on-screen appearance came on the crime procedural CSI: NY, where she played Veronica Perez in a single episode. A minor role, but showed her ability to hold the camera.
Early appearances like this were crucial in teaching her the rhythms of TV production and the realities of Hollywood auditions.
The War at Home (2006) - Susan
Her first foray into sitcoms came with a guest spot on The War at Home, a short-lived comedy about family dysfunction. The role may have been brief, but it offered Meghan early exposure to timing, delivery, and the subtle balance of comedy and pathos - skills she would later bring to Rachel Zane on Suits.
90210 (2008) - Wendy
Meghan’s appearance on the teen drama 90210 allowed her to explore more emotionally charged material. Playing Wendy in a handful of episodes, she navigated the heightened drama of high school life - an experience that, she has admitted, was a formative one in developing resilience in the face of rejection and constant auditioning.
Fringe (2009) - Amy Jessup
Stepping into the sci-fi world of Fringe, Meghan took on the role of Amy Jessup. While a guest appearance, the series’ surreal plots and high-concept storytelling gave her exposure to genre work, expanding her range beyond standard contemporary drama. It also proved she could pivot between grounded and fantastical material — versatility that would serve her well on Suits.
Remember Me (2010) - Megan
Her small part in Remember Me — starring alongside Robert Pattinson — marked Meghan’s first real big-screen experience. Though brief, it offered a taste of Hollywood feature production, showing her how film sets operated differently from television, and letting her learn the subtleties of acting in front of the big camera.
Horrible Bosses (2011) - Jamie
A blink-and-you-miss-it role as a courier in the comedy blockbuster Horrible Bosses demonstrated Meghan’s comedic instincts. Even in a minor role, she held her own amid established stars and sharp, rapid-fire comedy — a skill that would enhance her screen presence and confidence in larger roles.
Suits (2011–2018) - Rachel Zane
Her breakout role, of course, was Rachel Zane in the legal drama Suits. Over seven seasons, Meghan went from recurring character to series regular, earning plaudits for portraying a smart, ambitious paralegal navigating a male-dominated law firm. The role combined drama, romance, and wardrobe envy in equal measure. The role offered her a platform to explore storylines with social relevance, ambition, and emotional depth, in hundreds of episodes.
Anti-Social (2015) - Kirsten
In this British crime thriller, Meghan played Kirsten, a role that allowed her to move into grittier, edgier territory. Working on an international project, she expanded her repertoire beyond American TV and film, showing she could handle suspenseful, dramatic material as effectively as she could handle romantic comedy or legal drama.
Dater’s Handbook (2016) - Cassandra Brand
Her lead role in the Hallmark romantic comedy Dater’s Handbook showcased Meghan’s ability to carry a film. Full of meet-cutes, awkward charm, and on-screen charisma, the movie highlighted her versatility and natural screen presence - qualities that made her a compelling lead and prepared her for the global attention that would come with her marriage.
