In a surprising turn of events, Netflix has decided to remove Meghan Markle’s name from the cast of its highly anticipated miniseries, Senna.
This decision comes as a blow to the former Duchess of Sussex, whose deal with the streaming service has not been renewed following her previous failure.
The Senna biopic series, which has generated significant buzz, has now finalized its cast.
Joining lead actors Gabriel Leone and Kaya Solerio are a talented ensemble including Alice Wegman, Camila Mardila, Cristian Malerios, Gabriel Luchard, Hugo Bonema, Julia Foti, Marco Ricar, Pamela Tomei, and Susana Ribeiro.
Alongside these Brazilian actors, Soda Lerio, Matt Mellor, Arnaud Viard, Joe Hurst, Joanez Heinrichs, Kasuka Hayashi, Leona Okendin, Patrick Kennedy, Richard Clothier, Stephen McIntosh, and Tom Mannion are also part of the series.
Filming for the large-scale production is currently underway in Sao Paulo, Brazil, with additional locations in Argentina and Uruguay.
After completing filming in Brazil, the production will move to the UK.
Over the course of six episodes, Senna aims to depict the remarkable journey of the late F1 driver, who tragically lost his life during the San Marino Grand Prix in Italy.
Asif Kapadia’s 2010 documentary on the sports star won the prestigious Best Documentary award at the BAFTAs.
Netflix representatives have expressed confidence in the success of the new miniseries, despite facing challenges amid ongoing strikes.
However, the absence of Meghan Markle from the cast raises questions about the impact her departure may have on viewership.
It appears that her previous involvement with the royal family and the subsequent revelations made during that time garnered significant interest from audiences.
In contrast, her current project in Africa seems to lack the same level of appeal.
Critics argue that Meghan and Harry’s approach to filmmaking is less hands-on, with the couple primarily focused on appearing on camera and delivering scripted lines.
The majority of production tasks are handled by Netflix’s film crew, leading some to question their dedication and work ethic.
Furthermore, there are concerns that their fame is being used as a means to raise funds for charity, with only a small portion allocated for actual charitable purposes.
Recent attempts by the couple to rebrand and relaunch themselves have been met with ridicule and limited success.
Meghan Markle’s fashion choices have often been criticized for being inappropriate or ill-suited for the occasion.
Additionally, their tendency to leak plans to the press rather than showcasing completed projects has raised doubts about their commitment to follow through on their intentions.
Moreover, the focus of their endeavors appears to be centered on themselves rather than the causes they claim to support.
This was evident during the Invictus Games, where minimal attention was given to the achievements of veteran athletes, while the spotlight remained firmly on Harry and Meghan.
Their failure to shift the narrative and prioritize the people they aim to help has further fueled skepticism.
As Netflix moves forward with the Senna miniseries without Meghan Markle, it remains to be seen how this casting change will impact the overall reception of the show.
With the production team navigating challenges and striving to deliver a compelling portrayal of Ayrton Senna’s life, viewers eagerly await the release of this highly anticipated series.