While Davis and the Sussexes have drifted apart in terms of social connections since the couple's departure from the monarchy in 2020 and their subsequent relocation to the United States, there's a history of shared connections between the actress and Meghan.
In an unexpected twist, Viola Davis and Meghan Markle actually appeared together in a TV show scene back in 2004. However, their paths diverged when Meghan became embroiled in controversy related to her SAG card.
In a 2020 interview, Davis had heaped praise on the Duchess, expressing her willingness to collaborate with Meghan in the world of acting if she were to return post-Royal life. She even mentioned the possibility of a "Kagné and Lacy"-style project in the future.
Yet, according to an insider, there's no chance Meghan would be welcomed anywhere near Viola Davis now. The source alleged that Meghan had deceived production staff on a show where both she and Viola were guest stars, manipulating her way into a SAG card by misleading them about her union membership. Meghan's intention was to avoid re-recording her scenes, assuming that the staff wouldn't want to ask Viola to redo her parts, which would have doubled production costs.
This alleged incident also played a part in Meghan getting blacklisted by most casting agents. The source seemed to refer to a video of Meghan admitting to lying to casting directors about her union membership to secure an acting job. The clip, from a promotional appearance Meghan made for the TV series "Suits," showed her openly confessing to pretending to be in a union to land a role in the pilot for the 2004 CBS show "Century City." Meghan had candidly admitted, "I was such a little fraud."
These developments haven't endeared Meghan and Harry to some notable figures in the industry. They have faced accusations of betraying Hollywood and disregarding industry norms. Reports surfaced that the couple was striking a new deal with Netflix to produce a film, prompting criticism. One PR expert, using the alias "Royalty" on Twitter, expressed their discontent over the move, especially given ongoing strikes by film and TV writers and concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence on the industry. The expert accused Meghan and Harry of crossing the picket line and continuing to make deals with streaming giants that have faced allegations of violating actors' rights.
These events unfolded amid ongoing labor disputes within the entertainment industry, with the Screen Actors Guild experiencing a walkout and writers engaging in strikes. These actions have brought film and television production to a standstill, intensifying the scrutiny on industry practices and the actions of prominent figures like Meghan and Harry.
