Meghan Markle Returns to Acting in Lily Collins and Brie Larson Movie

by

Meghan Markle is suiting up to appear on the big screen. 

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, is reportedly returning to acting after a seven-year break. She’s joining Lily Collins and Brie Larson in a new film called Close Personal Friends, according to several news sources.

According to People magazine, Meghan Markle apparently made a cameo appearance as herself in an upcoming comedy produced by Amazon MGM Studios. The show centers around a couple who become friends with a celebrity pair while vacationing in Santa Barbara, California.

TopMob News reached out to reps for Meghan and Amazon for comment but has not heard back.

The movie Close Personal Friends, featuring Henry Golding and Jack Quaid, was initially revealed in August, and filming started in London the following month.

Although most of the information about the movie remains secret, Lily recently offered a glimpse behind the scenes of the project, which was directed by Jason Orley.

Lily Collins, known for Emily in Paris, shared a selfie on Instagram on September 22nd with Henry, Brie, and Jack. They were all in a white room, and she captioned the photo with a playful message: “Close (personal) friends only…”

This film is Meghan’s first acting project since leaving her role as Rachel Zane on the TV show Suits in 2018, after appearing as a main cast member for seven seasons.

The 44-year-old decided to step down from the show to dedicate more time to her royal duties before marrying Prince Harry in 2018.

Honestly, when I heard Meghan say that, it just got me. It wasn’t about ‘giving up’ anything, she clarified, and that’s exactly it! It wasn’t a loss, it was a change. She understands it, and it makes so much sense to me. It wasn’t a sacrifice, it was just…moving forward. It’s brilliant, really.

She explained that reaching 100 episodes felt like a major accomplishment, and she was proud of her work on the show. Now, she’s excited to collaborate with Harry on future projects, working together as a team.

Three years after leaving Hollywood, Meghan and Harry—parents of 6-year-old Prince Archie and 4-year-old Princess Lilibet—stopped their duties as senior members of the royal family and moved to the United States with their children.

Meghan, now running the lifestyle brand As Ever and starring in her Netflix series With Love, Meghan, has stated she doesn’t plan to return to acting professionally.

I was really surprised to hear her say that in a 2022 interview with Variety. She seemed so definite, stating she was finished and, while she didn’t want to completely rule anything out, she had no plans to return. It felt like a final goodbye, and honestly, as a long-time fan, it was a little heartbreaking, but I respect her decision.

For more stars who have stepped away from Hollywood, keep reading. 

After 19 seasons, The Ellen DeGeneres Show ended in 2022 following accusations of a negative and harmful work environment. These claims led to an internal investigation, the firing of several producers, and significant public criticism.

Ellen DeGeneres recently returned to performing with her Netflix stand-up special, For Your Approval, released in September 2024. Before the special aired, she announced her plans to leave Hollywood completely.

During her recent stand-up tour, Ellen DeGeneres told her audience that she plans to retire after her next Netflix special. According to SFGate, she stated, “This is the last time you’re going to see me.” Ellen and her wife, Portia de Rossi, have since moved to England. Ellen confirmed to Richard Bacon in July 2025 that they relocated there in November 2024 following Donald Trump’s reelection.

Tyra Banks, host of America’s Next Top Model, decided to move to Australia partly to focus on her ice cream company, SMiZE and Dream. She explained on Today with Jenna & Friends that her business had been primarily supplying ice cream to places like airplanes and cruise ships, and she was frequently traveling to Australia to oversee production at a large facility there. She quickly fell in love with the country during her visits.

Banks also recognized Australia as a strong market for her product, noting that the top three ice cream-consuming countries are the United States, New Zealand, and Australia.

Ultimately, the supermodel relocated to Australia with her son, York (whose father is Erik Asla), and her boyfriend, Louis Bélanger-Martin, saying that Australia has been a wonderful experience for her and her family.

Eva Longoria, known for her role on Desperate Housewives, has left Los Angeles and now divides her time between Mexico and Spain. She explained to Marie Claire that while she spent her adult life in LA, the city had changed, and the pandemic accelerated that shift. Issues like homelessness and high taxes contributed to her decision, though she emphasizes she doesn’t want to criticize California.

Longoria, her husband José Bastón, and their son Santiago have been living abroad for the past few years. She acknowledges her privilege in being able to leave, expressing concern for those who aren’t as fortunate.

In an interview on The View: Behind the Table podcast, Longoria clarified that her move wasn’t politically motivated, despite speculation following the presidential election. She explained that work commitments – filming Land of Women in Spain, Searching for Mexico, and returning to Spain – led to her extended stay. She’s been busy with projects like Only Murders in the Building and Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip since relocating.

Actor Richard Gere has relocated from Chicago to Spain with his family. He explained on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon that his wife, Alejandra Silva, is from Galicia and they plan to live in Madrid for several years. Gere is excited about the move, believing it will be a great opportunity for their sons, Alexander and James, to thrive as they are already bilingual. He also has an adult son, Homer, with his former partner, Carey Lowell. In an interview with Elle España, Gere shared that the whole family is happier than ever and currently enjoying a positive chapter in their lives.

Singer Christina Milian and her family have settled in Paris. Married to French singer Matt Pokora for over seven years, they previously spent half the year commuting between the U.S. and France. They made the decision to move permanently so their children – Violet (from a previous marriage), and sons Isaiah and Kenna – could attend school in France. Milian feels it’s a fantastic opportunity for them. She shared with TopMob that her kids are thriving, are fluent in French, and she enjoys a balanced lifestyle with daytime activities and work during the evenings. She describes their life in Paris as happy and healthy.

Lindsay Lohan is frustrated by the ongoing speculation surrounding her departure from Los Angeles. She recently explained that her busy career and social life in the early 2000s were often overshadowed by constant paparazzi attention, which she found irritating. In a March 2024 interview with Bustle, she expressed a desire for her work to be the focus, and felt the relentless media coverage created a narrative that overshadowed her career. This was a major reason she chose to move abroad, first to London and then to Dubai, where she also started opening beach clubs in Greece, seeking a life outside the spotlight.

Lindsay Lohan wondered if she would ever find love, admitting she worried it might never happen. She realized she needed to focus on herself before things started falling into place and she began receiving the opportunities she truly wanted.

Eventually, she did find love with Bader Shammas, marrying him in 2022 and welcoming their son, Luai, in 2023.

The couple currently lives in Dubai, but Lindsay hasn’t left acting behind. She continues to star in films like Our Little Secret, Irish Wish, and Freakier Friday.

Josh decided to leave Hollywood after some careful thought. He explained to People magazine in July 2024 that Hollywood isn’t just a location, but a way of life. Being surrounded by people constantly focused on the film industry, he felt, would limit his perspective. He wanted a life with more variety.

“I’ve always wanted to be around people doing lots of different things, things that would take my mind off work and help me grow,” Josh said, calling that “the spice of life.”

So, Josh, his wife Tamsin Egerton, and their four children moved to the countryside in Hampshire, England. He told The Guardian in July 2024 that time flies when you have a family. While it might seem like less is happening, he feels more of what truly matters is.

Despite the move, Josh has remained active in his career, appearing in films like Verity, Fight or Flight, and Trap.

If you don’t follow Jesse on social media, you might be surprised to learn he no longer lives in Los Angeles. In a February 2025 interview with CBS News Sunday Morning, the A Real Pain star revealed he’s lived in Indiana for the past ten years, finding it a more comfortable and stable environment. Despite being an Oscar nominee, Jesse lives a relatively normal life with his wife, Anna Strout, and son, Banner. He explained that he avoids social media and doesn’t spend much time networking within the industry. With a teacher for a wife and a son who isn’t a movie buff, Jesse feels removed from the constant pressure of assessing his status in Hollywood.

Eliza Dushku, known for roles in shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the movie Bring It On, announced in September 2024 that she’s now a certified psychedelic-assisted therapist and is continuing her education in the field of mental health.

She explained to Boston Magazine that she was able to change her life’s path to prioritize her own well-being, with the goal of then helping others heal. She felt it was important to share the positive changes she’d experienced – the peace and renewed passion she found – because she now clearly understands this is what she’s meant to do.

The actress best known for playing Wilma Flintstone shared that she relocated to Ireland in January 2025 with her son, Clay, and is working to become an Irish citizen because of her family’s heritage. While she mentioned current political events as a factor in her decision to move, she hasn’t dismissed the possibility of returning to her home country in the future.

In a TikTok video, she shared how much she misses her children and friends, and many aspects of her life back home. She’s currently working to build a new life in this country, and says she and her family will think about returning to America when it’s safe and everyone there has equal rights.

Actress Evangeline Lilly, known for her role in Ant-Man and the Wasp, has announced she’s stepping away from acting for an unspecified amount of time after two decades in the business.

In a June 2024 Instagram post, Evangeline shared how happy and at peace she feels while pursuing her dreams. She expressed gratitude for her good fortune, explaining that while choosing a path less focused on money and recognition can be daunting, embracing one’s true purpose brings a deep sense of satisfaction instead of fear.

However, she’s not ruling out a return to Hollywood completely, saying, “I could see myself going back someday, but right now, I’m happy where I am.”

Since starring in the 2019 Netflix series V-Wars, actor Paul Wesley hasn’t taken on another acting role. Instead, he’s been focusing on a personal mission: fighting climate change by working to improve soil health around the world.

Ian, who has two children with his wife Nikki Reed, explained to TopMob News in November 2023 that he took a break from acting over four years ago to focus on raising his family and developing his businesses. This allowed him to also get his documentaries, Kiss the Ground (released in 2020) and its sequel, Common Ground, completed. Both films highlight the importance of regenerative farming practices.

Looking ahead, the actor said he envisions himself as a rancher, focused on building lasting brands – like his bourbon and health company. He’s deeply committed to sustainable farming and healthy soil, principles he and his family practice. He explained this is his long-term goal, and the reason he’s so passionate about these issues – it’s simply a core part of who he is and the life he’s building.

In a February 2021 episode of her podcast, Empty Inside, former iCarly star Jennette McCurdy told Anna Faris that she had stopped acting a few years prior. She’s now pursuing writing and directing, alongside hosting the podcast.

Jennette recently shared that she deeply regrets many of the acting roles she took in the past, detailing these feelings in her 2022 memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died. She explained that she feels frustrated with her career and unfulfilled by the parts she played, describing them as cheesy and embarrassing. Having worked on those shows from ages 13 to 21, she was already self-conscious by age 15, feeling that her peers didn’t view her TV work as something to be proud of.

I’ve been following her career for years, and it’s so interesting to hear her talk about potentially returning to acting. She’s always been incredibly thoughtful, and she recently shared that writing her book has actually opened her mind to the possibility. She realized she might be able to approach acting differently this time, without all the old pressures she felt. She’s thinking about writing something specifically for herself – and honestly, that sounds like the only way she’d even consider it, which I totally respect. It’s not about closing the door on acting completely, but doing it on her own terms.

It seemed like a pretty easy decision. The chance to marry Prince Harry, focus on the charities we care about, and even wear the Queen’s tiaras would make leaving Hollywood totally worthwhile.

Like Grace Kelly before her, Meghan Markle transitioned from a successful acting career – most notably her role on the TV show Suits – to a life within the British royal family. After stepping back from their senior royal duties and moving to Montecito, California, Meghan is now returning to professional life. This includes a production deal with Netflix, where she’s released the docuseries Harry & Meghan and will launch the lifestyle show With Love, Meghan in 2025. She’s also expanded her work with podcasts and her brand, As Ever.

After starring in over 40 films since she began her career with 1994’s The Mask, the actress really needed a rest when she finished filming Annie in 2014.

She told Gwyneth Paltrow that she realized she wanted a different lifestyle. After years of intense work and filmmaking, she felt burned out. She explained that making a movie is incredibly demanding – you’re committed for long hours every day for months, leaving no room for anything else in your life.

Cameron Diaz had many interests she wanted to pursue, including writing – she followed up her popular 2013 book, The Body Book, with The Longevity Book in 2016 – and starting a family with her husband, Benji Madden. While she told InStyle in 2019 that she didn’t miss acting and was focused on wellness, it seems she might be open to returning for at least one more project.

Jamie Foxx explained that they had to really ask and plead with Cameron Diaz to star in the 2025 Netflix movie, Back in Action. He said, “We were on our knees, begging her to do just one more film!” Foxx added that they all love her, have been waiting for her return, and believe the movie will be amazing.

Okay, so Terrence Howard said after five amazing years as Lucious Lyon on Empire, that was it – no more! I was devastated, honestly. I remember seeing the Extra interview before the final season aired in 2019, and he straight-up told them, “Oh, I’m done with acting. I’m done pretending.” Like, DONE! It broke my heart, but you could kind of tell he was ready to move on. Still, I’m holding out hope for a reunion someday, even if he said that was the end! I just can’t imagine Empire without him!

Despite appearing in a few projects since then, the Academy Award nominee announced his intention to retire from acting again in 2022 while promoting his Peacock series, The Best Man: The Final Chapters. He explained to Entertainment Tonight that he felt he had given his all as an actor and now wanted to focus on watching and supporting new talent, rather than repeating past performances.

Even with those previous concerns, Howard has continued to act, appearing in shows like Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist and the Netflix movie Shirley. He also has several other projects planned for the future.

After his character, King Joffrey, died on the show in 2014, the 21-year-old actor told EW he was leaving acting. He explained that he’d been working since he was eight years old and simply wasn’t enjoying it as much anymore.

Jack isn’t a child star anymore, and some of the initial excitement has faded. He explained that turning acting into a career feels different than doing it as a hobby with friends during the summer. He still enjoys acting, but doesn’t want to make it his full-time job – it’s just not what he’s looking for professionally.

After taking six years off, Jack returned to acting in 2020 with a role in the BBC series Out of Her Mind. Since then, he’s also been in films like Rebecca’s Boyfriend and In the Land of Saints and Sinners, and TV shows including Safe Harbor and The Famous Five.

When Jennifer Aniston, known for her role in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, married actor Kevin Kline in 1989, they decided to stagger their work schedules. This arrangement allowed them to both be available to care for their children, Owen and Greta (who now performs as the singer Frankie Cosmos). Kline shared this plan with Playboy magazine.

He added that Phoebe has consistently prioritized staying home with her children whenever she was scheduled to work. While she made a brief appearance in her friend Jennifer Jason Leigh’s 2001 film, The Anniversary Party, Cates primarily focuses on running her New York City store, Blue Tree.

During the peak of his success with films like Ghostbusters and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, the actor paused his career after his wife sadly passed away from breast cancer in 1991. He wanted to dedicate his time to raising his children, Rachel and Mitchell.

Despite not appearing in a live-action movie since 1997 – he even turned down a small role in the 2016 Ghostbusters remake – Rick remains a beloved figure, as shown by the strong reaction to news of an assault he experienced while walking in New York City in 2020. Fortunately, fans will soon see him return to the screen alongside Josh Gad in the upcoming Disney reboot, Shrunk.

After marrying fashion designer Adam Kimmel in 2010, actress Drew Barrymore suggested she was considering stepping back from acting. She told Vogue that most acting roles require a lot of intimate scenes, and she wasn’t comfortable with that. While she felt her relationship was strong, she believed any potentially challenging work needed to be truly exceptional to be worth it.

Honestly, becoming a mom truly changed everything for me. After my son Martin joined his big sister Louisanna in 2014, I knew I was done with acting. I told Us Weekly in 2016 that I felt like a complete outsider to that world now, and I was perfectly happy with that. I’m just a mom first, and I help my husband, Jimmy, with his work, plus I still get to paint when I can. Really, my kids became my total focus, and that’s the main reason I stepped away from everything.

She’d built a strong career with roles in popular shows like Ally McBeal, Nip/Tuck, Arrested Development, and Scandal. After all that, the Australian actress started to feel like it was time for a change.

Turning 45, I started thinking about trying something completely new and challenging,” she shared on her wife Ellen DeGeneres’ talk show in 2018. “I had a good idea of what my acting career would look like for the next decade or two, so I decided to leave it behind and start my own business.”

Her company, General Public, which creates art for everyone, was almost complete – she just needed to finish one final piece.

I spoke with Mitch Hurwitz, the creator of Arrested Development, and told him I wouldn’t participate in a fifth season because I had decided to stop acting. He was very understanding and supportive, and we had a good talk. Surprisingly, he ended up writing my character into five episodes.

It’s understandable why, after winning three Oscars, an actor might consider what else there is to achieve. Following his sixth Academy Award nomination for his 2017 film, Phantom Thread, the actor announced through his representative that he was retiring from acting. The statement expressed his gratitude to everyone he’d worked with and his audience over the years, and clarified that this was a personal decision and no further comments would be made.

Just as Daniel Day-Lewis had announced his retirement from acting, a new project drew him back in. In October 2024, Focus Features revealed he would star in Anemone, a film he co-wrote with his son, Ronan Day-Lewis, who is also directing it.

After becoming known for her role on Good Luck Charlie, she decided to focus on her education in 2018. She went on to earn both a master’s degree and a PhD from MIT, and also attended Harvard Law School.

On top of everything else, Bridgit also started her own company, Northwood Space. The company is building ground stations to facilitate communication with satellites, and Bridgit became its CEO in February 2023.

Read More

2025-11-06 05:49