Meghan Markle Opens Up on Missing Acting and Building New Ventures Post-Royal Life

In a candid moment on the Aspire with Emma Grede podcast, Meghan Markle opened up about her Hollywood past, admitting she occasionally misses the acting world she left behind for royal life. The 43-year-old Duchess of Sussex, who rose to fame as Rachel Zane in the hit legal drama Suits, stepped away from the screen in 2017 after her engagement to Prince Harry. By 2020, the couple had traded royal duties for a new life in Montecito, California, leaving her acting career in the rearview mirror.

Yet, the pull of the set lingers. Markle shared that working on her Netflix lifestyle series, With Love, Meghan, which premiered in March and is set for a second season this fall, brought back the camaraderie she craved. "I love being around a crew," she said, reflecting on the tight-knit bonds formed over seven seasons on Suits. Her abrupt exit from the show, shrouded in secrecy to avoid speculation, meant no proper goodbyes—a bittersweet memory for the actress.

Markle’s journey wasn’t always smooth. She spoke candidly about the challenges of breaking into Hollywood as a multiracial actress, with her White father, Thomas Markle, and Black mother, Doria Ragland, shaping her identity. "There weren’t a lot of mixed-race parts," she noted, recalling how casting directors often pigeonholed her as Latina or struggled to place her in the archetypal "girl next door" roles—typically reserved for blond, blue-eyed actresses. The constant rejection chipped away at her confidence, but it also built resilience.

Now, as a mother to Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 3, Markle’s perspective has shifted. She’s focused on modeling authenticity and confidence for her children, a role she embraces with conviction. Her latest venture, the lifestyle brand As Ever (formerly American Rivera Orchard), launched in March 2024, channels her entrepreneurial spirit. Drawing on her acting days, she credits her "thick skin" and knack for building relationships as key to navigating this new chapter. "Book the room, not the part," she recalled of advice that still guides her, emphasizing the power of genuine connections over fleeting opportunities.

From her early days on General Hospital to bit parts in films like Horrible Bosses, Markle’s career was a testament to perseverance. Her return to the spotlight with With Love, Meghan and As Ever proves she’s not just reminiscing—she’s redefining her path with purpose.