Meghan Markle’s most recognized acting role has come under fire during a recent episode of her Netflix lifestyle series With Love, Meghan.
The Duchess of Sussex, who starred in the hit legal drama Suits as paralegal-turned-lawyer Rachel Zane, was left chuckling awkwardly after a guest mocked the show during a cocktail-making segment.
In the Weekend Away episode, Meghan and her close friend Heather Dorak joined mixologist Payman Bahmani-Bailey for a cocktail class. While chatting, Meghan asked him about his career journey, and he revealed he had previously worked as a lawyer in New York before shifting to bartending. Seizing the moment, Meghan asked if he had ever watched Suits, the popular drama in which she appeared for seven seasons.
His response, however, was brutally dismissive: “No, no, I don’t watch basic cable.” The comment left Meghan visibly embarrassed but laughing, while Bahmani-Bailey further explained that he preferred shows “with curse words and stuff.” Meghan responded with a smile, saying, “Great, I love it!”
The exchange comes amid renewed discussion about Meghan’s long-standing ties to Suits. In his book Revenge: Meghan, Harry, and the War Between the Windsors, royal biographer Tom Bower claimed that Meghan often struggled to separate herself from her character and took criticism of Rachel Zane personally. “Convinced that she was on the cusp of international celebrity, she had become preoccupied with Rachel Zane’s character,” Bower wrote.
Meghan played Rachel Zane in 108 episodes of Suits from 2011 until 2018, when she left the show ahead of her royal wedding to Prince Harry. The series, which has seen a major resurgence in popularity in recent years thanks to streaming platforms, remains one of her defining acting achievements before stepping into her role as a senior member of the British royal family.
While the moment on her new Netflix show may have been uncomfortable, it highlighted Meghan’s ability to take jokes in stride—something she may need as she continues balancing her Hollywood career with life in the spotlight.