You probably know her as the Duchess of Sussex. Or maybe you're one of the millions who discovered her during the massive 2023 "Suits-pocalypse" on Netflix, where a decade-old legal drama suddenly became the biggest thing on the planet. But before the royal weddings and the Montecito lifestyle brand, Meghan Markle was a working actor.
She wasn't just "Rachel Zane." She was a guest star on procedurals. She was a "briefcase girl." She was a Hallmark lead.
Honestly, looking back at Meghan Markle movies and tv shows, you see a very different version of the woman we see in the news today. It’s a resume built on the "hustle" culture of mid-2000s Hollywood. If you’re trying to track down where she popped up before the tiara, there is a lot more to find than just a few cameos.
The Suits Era: More Than Just a Paralegal
We have to start here. Suits is the definitive piece of the Meghan Markle filmography. She played Rachel Zane for 108 episodes, from 2011 until her departure in 2018.
What people forget is how much that character changed over seven seasons. Rachel started as a paralegal with a chip on her shoulder because she couldn't pass the LSATs. By the time Meghan left the show, Rachel was a full-fledged lawyer and a powerhouse in her own right.
The chemistry between her and Patrick J. Adams (who played Mike Ross) was the emotional spine of the show. It’s also why the series had such a weirdly successful second life on streaming—it felt like comfort food. You’ve got the sharp suits, the fast talking, and the "will-they-won't-they" that actually ended in a "they did."
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The Hallmark Chapter
Before she was a global icon, Meghan was a Hallmark Channel darling. This is a specific niche, but it's one her fans absolutely love.
- When Sparks Fly (2014): She plays Amy Peterson, a journalist who goes back to her small town and—surprise!—realizes her ex-boyfriend is the one who got away.
- Dater's Handbook (2016): This one is peak Hallmark. She plays Cass, a woman who tries to use a literal manual to find a boyfriend, only to realize (again, surprise!) that her heart knows better than a book.
These movies aren't high art. They aren't trying to be. They are cozy, predictable, and they showed that Meghan had the "leading lady" charisma long before she was on the world stage.
Those "Wait, Was That Her?" Cameos
If you go back and watch big blockbusters from the early 2010s, you’ll find Meghan in the background of some pretty famous scenes. She was the definition of a "working actor" taking whatever roles came her way to build a SAG-AFTRA credit list.
Horrible Bosses (2011)
She has a tiny, 30-second scene as a FedEx delivery girl named Jamie. Jason Sudeikis’s character tries to flirt with her. It’s a "blink and you’ll miss it" moment, but it’s there.
Remember Me (2010)
In this Robert Pattinson drama (famous for that devastating ending), Meghan plays a bartender. Ironically, her character's name in the script was also Megan.
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Get Him to the Greek (2010)
She had an uncredited role as Tatiana. Russell Brand later mentioned in interviews that they had a brief on-screen kiss. It’s a far cry from the refined image of a Duchess, but it’s a fun piece of trivia for the completionists.
The Procedural Grind
Every actor in LA in the 2000s did the procedural circuit. Meghan was no different. She appeared in:
- CSI: NY (2006) as a maid named Veronica Perez.
- CSI: Miami (2010) as Officer Leah Montoya.
- Fringe (2009) as Junior FBI Agent Amy Jessup.
- Castle (2012) as Charlotte Boyd.
The Fringe role is actually interesting because it was supposed to be a recurring part. She appeared in the first two episodes of Season 2, but then the character just... disappeared. Fans still speculate about why that plotline was dropped.
Deal or No Deal: The Briefcase Years
Let’s talk about the briefcase. From 2006 to 2007, Meghan was one of the models on the game show Deal or No Deal. She held briefcase #24.
She’s been pretty candid about this lately, saying on her Archetypes podcast that she felt "objectified" during that time. It was a job to pay the bills while she was auditioning for "real" acting roles. It’s a part of her history that some people use to dismiss her, but basically, it’s just the reality of how hard it is to break into Hollywood. She was talented, she had a degree from Northwestern, and she was still standing on a stage holding a box. That’s the industry.
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What’s Happening in 2026?
The acting days are over. She’s said that herself. But the "TV show" part of the keyword Meghan Markle movies and tv shows is very much alive through her production company, Archewell Productions.
We've already seen the massive Harry & Meghan documentary on Netflix, which broke records. But as of early 2026, the focus has shifted. There is a lot of buzz around her lifestyle series, often referred to as With Love, Meghan, which leans into her love of cooking and gardening. It’s basically a high-end version of her old blog, The Tig.
There’s also the big Netflix adaptation of the romance novel Meet Me at the Lake. She isn’t starring in it, but she is producing it. It’s a full-circle moment: the woman who used to star in rom-coms is now the one calling the shots behind the camera.
The Realistic Reality
Look, not every project has been a home run. The animated series Pearl was scrapped by Netflix before it even aired. Some of the documentaries have had mixed reviews. But you can't deny the staying power. Whether she's on screen as Rachel Zane or behind the scenes as an executive producer, she's managed to stay relevant in an industry that usually forgets people the second they stop auditioning.
How to Watch Her Best Work Today
If you want to do a "Meghan Marathon," here is how to find the good stuff without digging through the archives of 2004 soap operas:
- For the drama: Watch Suits on Netflix or Peacock. It’s still her best performance.
- For the vibes: Check out Dater's Handbook on the Hallmark Hub or Amazon Prime.
- For the grit: Anti-Social (2015) is a British crime film where she plays the lead's girlfriend. It’s much darker than her usual stuff.
- For the "now": Live to Lead on Netflix shows her in a more serious, documentary-style role.
Actionable Insight:
If you're a creator or an aspiring actor looking at Meghan's trajectory, the lesson isn't about marrying a prince. It's about the ten years of "no" before the big "yes." She spent a decade doing bit parts and game shows before Suits changed her life. If you want to see her work, don't just look at the hits—look at the 2006 episodes of CSI to see how much she improved her craft over time.
Keep an eye on Netflix throughout 2026, as her new lifestyle projects are slated to drop, marking her official transition from actress to media mogul.