Does this Hollywood night out mean Meghan’s making her power play?
As she parties with A-list movers and shakers...
THE Duchess of Sussex hinted heavily at a TV and film comeback as she posed with two of the most powerful women in Hollywood at a party in LA.
Wearing an expensive off- theshoulder Proenza Schouler dress, Meghan smiled alongside TV boss Pearlena Igbokwe and Janet Yang, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Thursday night.
On the red carpet at the Power Of Women party, held by Variety magazine, Meghan said she and Prince Harry were working on ‘exciting’ new projects and ‘can’t wait to announce them’.
The former actress, 42, said she was ‘really proud’ of what Archewell Productions – the company she founded with Harry – had created so far, including the Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan and her Archetypes podcast for Spotify.
Among the A-listers who joined her at the event were Emily Blunt, Carey Mulligan, Dua Lipa and Margot Robbie.
Brand and culture expert Nick Ede told the Mail it was no accident that ‘shrewd player’ Meghan posed with two of the most powerful women in Hollywood. Ms Yang is a film producer who made her name working for Steven Spielberg and Ms Igbokwe is the chairman of Universal Studio Group and runs the gigantic NBC TV network.
Mr Ede said Meghan’s choice of company was a big hint that she is pushing to do more TV and film. The recent writers’ strike means studios are desperate for content, said Mr Ede, and it is telling that, on the red carpet, the duchess praised the ‘everlasting impact’ of Suits, the TV show she made her name on.
A return to acting would see her earn up to £1million an episode on US channels – although a spokesman for the Sussexes denied this was part of her plans earlier this month.
Producing a film would bring home £2million-plus, as well as royalties on top if it was a box-office hit. A star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame could also be in the offing, Mr Ede claimed. ‘Not only is a part in a movie or returning series lucrative, it could establish Meghan as a serious player in Hollywood where she may act and produce too,’ he said.
‘She’s always said she loved acting and playing a character may be the perfect way for her to shut her detractors down and shine in a starring role.’
On the red carpet, Meghan revealed: ‘We have so many exciting things on the slate. I can’t wait until we can announce them, but I’m just really proud of what we’re creating. My husband is loving it too, which is really fun.’
She did not say what the projects were but told Variety that she wants to create ‘ things that make people feel’ as well as create ‘a sense of community’.
Meghan, when asked about Suits, said she had ‘ no idea’ why the show had suddenly regained popularity.
‘It was great to work on,’ she said. ‘Such a great cast and crew. We had a really fun time. I was on it for seven seasons, so quite a bit.’
Meghan was a Variety magazine cover star last year and was among those garlanded in 2022, but was unable to attend the event last year due to the death of the Queen.
‘She’s always said she loved acting’