Meghan Markle remains in discussions to join Netflix series The Gentlemen, sources have confirmed to Sussex-friendly People magazine amid conflicting reports.Australian website News.com.au first reported last Friday that the Duchess of Sussex was eyeing an acting role as part of her move back to Britain with Prince Harry.Hollywood publication Deadline then claimed hours later that she was in preliminary talks over a possible role in an unconfirmed third series of the gangster show.But prominent royal author Tina Brown said on Saturday that the offer had already been withdrawn because the 'backlash was so intense it became untenable'.The mystery deepened yesterday when Variety revealed the show had been renewed for a third season with scripts being finalised but the casting yet to be confirmed.The publication also carried a quote from the show's creator Guy Ritchie, who is said to have been speaking directly with Meghan, but he made no mention of her.Following this, People – which has close links to the Sussexes - said Meghan 'remains in talks despite recent reports to the contrary, though no deal has been finalised'.Separately yesterday, a new full-length trailer for the upcoming second series of the show starring Theo James and Kaya Scodelario was also released by Netflix. A spokesperson for Netflix declined to comment when contacted by the Daily Mail, while a representative for the Sussexes has not responded to requests for comment. Meghan Markle played lawyer Rachel Zane for seven seasons of the US legal drama Suits Kaya Scodelario and Theo James star in the hit Netflix gangster series The GentlemenRitchie's statement to Variety said: 'The ambition of "The Gentlemen" has accelerated, the world has expanded and the consequences carry weight. A third season felt inevitable, and I'm looking forward to pushing the boundaries of it further.'Some industry experts claimed talk of Meghan being linked with the show could have been leaked as a cynical PR tactic to create a buzz around her arrival in the UK.Bosses at Netflix are believed to have been unaware of any potential offer to the duchess for The Gentlemen, suggesting she spoke directly with Ritchie.Timeline of conflicting reports over Meghan Markle's involvement in The Gentlemen The Daily Mail exclusively reveals in May that The Gentlemen has been commissioned for a third series, although confirmation is awaited from NetflixAustralian website News.com.au reports last Friday that Meghan is eyeing an acting role as part of her move back to BritainHollywood publication Deadline claims hours later that she was in preliminary talks over a possible role in an unconfirmed third series of The Gentlemen.Royal author Tina Brown says on Saturday that the offer had already been withdrawn because the 'backlash was so intense it became untenable'Variety confirms yesterday that the show has been renewed for a third season, including a quote from creator Guy Ritchie who makes no mention of MeghanNetflix releases a trailer yesterday for the upcoming second series of the showPeople reports yesterday that Meghan 'remains in talks despite recent reports to the contrary, though no deal has been finalised'. Speculation has been mounting that these apparent conversations were used to make it appear that Meghan is in demand and her relationship with Netflix is strong and ongoing.PR expert Mark Borkowski said he felt 'the timing of this has an ulterior motive to do what it's doing, to generate as much attention as possible without saying anything at all', given the revelations are happening at a quieter time of the news cycle in August.Addressing claims that the leak was deliberate, he told the Daily Mail: 'It's totally plausible because there's not been a single quote from the production, so they're enjoying all the publicity, it's good for them.'So there must have been - even if it was a stunt - a tacit arrangement that they were going to do this between publicists. What a good idea for everybody that we bask in the glow of attention.'Sean O'Meara, managing director of the PR and content consultancy Essential Content, said it is 'not uncommon in the entertainment industry and even in sports, tech or politics, for representatives to leak developments that aren't even close to completion'.And PR expert Andy Barr, senior communications manager at Season One Communications, said leaking apparent interest in an actor or actress is the 'oldest trick in the book that talent looking for work use'.The Sussexes agreed a $100million deal with Netflix in 2020 then signed a new first-look contract last year, after the duchess's show With Love, Meghan was panned.Meghan already has a small part in the upcoming US film Close Personal Friends, making a cameo appearance as herself alongside Lily Collins and Brie Larson.She also appeared as a guest judge on MasterChef Australia last month, after filming the episode in Melbourne in April during a four-day tour of the country with Harry. Meghan Markle also had a small role in the 2011 movie Horrible Bosses as a FedEx workerMeghan was once a 'briefcase girl' - a model holding a suitcase of cash - on Deal Or No DealOther sources told the Daily Mail that Meghan will be eyeing up a major part in a theatre show. A former friend said she has 'desperately wanted to be in a West End' production for many years and 'will certainly be speaking to people about a role'.The duchess – a former National Theatre patron – is known to be a big theatre fan and attended several West End shows with Harry while living in Britain, including Hamilton, Tina: The Musical and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.Meghan had previously been known for her role in the popular US legal drama Suits, playing lawyer Rachel Zane for seven seasons until she became engaged to Harry.But after her last episode aired in 2018 and she joined the Royal Family, the now 45-year-old duchess paused her acting career and has not had any parts since.Before meeting Harry, the duchess had roles in CSI: Miami, the sci-fi show Fringe and movies such as Get Him To The Greek, Remember Me and Horrible Bosses. She was also a 'briefcase girl' – a model holding a suitcase of cash – on Deal or No Deal.But Meghan confirmed in a joint interview with Harry following their engagement in 2017 that she was happy to pause her acting career, saying: 'I don't see it as giving anything up. I just see it as a change. It's a new chapter.'Then in 2022, Meghan insisted she had no plans to return to acting – telling Variety: 'I'm done. I guess never say never but my intention is to absolutely not.'Harry and Meghan have not commented on their reasons for relocating to Britain.They will live in a non-royal residence outside of London when they move back to the UK and have already enrolled Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet in British schools.