Hugh Bonneville practically dances on Downton Abbey's grave in the new series of Netflix's The Gentlemen as he plays a super-camp toff (with a carefully styled bouffant do)

RIP, Lord Grantham. And hello, Lord Hawthorne!Hugh Bonneville practically dances on Downton Abbey's grave in the new series of Netflix's The Gentlemen, playing a super-camp toff (with a carefully styled bouffant do), hot on the scent of a handsome young man.Bonneville was serious – some might even say dull – as the thoroughly decent Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham, in Downton.But you can see him having the time of his life in The Gentlemen, series two of which is streaming from Thursday next week.Described in the show by drug kingpin Bobby Glass (Ray Winstone) as a 'posh c***', Bonneville plays Lord 'Dickie' Hawthorne, who we first meet at a shooting day at the stately home owned by Eddie Horniman, the Duke of Halstead, played by Theo James.Eddie wants to gain entry to the House of Lords so he can influence marijuana legislation. And – no spoilers! – Dickie just might play a big role in these efforts. Hugh Bonneville plays Lord Hawthorne in the second series of The Gentlemen which releases on Netflix next week Bonneville was serious – some might even say dull – as the thoroughly decent Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham, in Downton (pictured)The colourful Lord Hawthorne takes a shine to Jack (Harry Goodwins), younger brother of Susie Glass (Kaya Scodelario). He drinks, he swears, he slurps down oysters – and he dances like Louie Spence in Ibiza.At one point, over cocktails, Lord Hawthorne tells Eddie: 'I know I look like a useless old fruit, but I do know when I'm being worked, lubed, greased over.' Fetch the smelling salts, Mrs Hughes! The Gentlemen was in the headlines this week after it was suggested that Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, might appear in series three.Netflix alluded to the hoo-ha in a press release for series two, which concluded with the words: 'ABOUT THE GENTLEMEN S3 ...Your guess is as good as mine.'Meanwhile, Meghan Markle's return to acting has reportedly been 'cancelled' amid criticism over plans to cast her in the third season of the Guy Ritchie-directed series.It was claimed that former British royal Meghan had been offered a role in the third installment of the show.But just as quickly as the news was released, it was then claimed the offer had been withdrawn after the reaction in Britain became too 'intense', according to royal author Tina Brown.Ms Brown said: 'I learned that the casting of Meghan Markle has been withdrawn. The backlash was so intense it became untenable to go forward.'Meanwhile, Meghan Markle's return to acting has reportedly been 'cancelled' amid criticism over plans to cast her in the third season of the Guy Ritchie-directed series In her Fresh Hell Substack newsletter, the author wrote: 'This does not bode well for Meghan's acting comeback.'Just four years ago, Meghan insisted she had no plans to return to acting. In 2022, she told Variety magazine: 'I'm done. I guess never say never but my intention is to absolutely not.'Now, however, her return to the screen has been touted by sources 'close to the duchess' as one of the reasons she and Prince Harry are returning to Britain.But commentators have suggested that any acting role for Meghan and a subsequent return to the spotlight could be problematic both for the Sussexes and the Royal Family in general.Baroness Wheatcroft, speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, said: 'The first thing any actress wants is publicity and Meghan may be a good actress. She is certainly going to be offered roles but she has to be very careful when the inevitable interviews come along not to embarrass the royals.'Before marrying Harry, Meghan enjoyed a successful seven-season run as Rachel Zane in the legal drama Suits. She reportedly earned around $40,000 per episode by the time her final episode aired in April 2018 – just one month before she walked down the aisle at St George's Chapel in Windsor.Meghan has a small cameo in the upcoming film Close Personal Friends, starring Brie Larson and Lily Collins. But a source connected with the project described the appearance to The Mail on Sunday as little more than fleeting. A role in Ritchie's The Gentlemen would have marked a far more significant return to acting.Netflix declined to comment while a spokesman for the duchess refused to confirm or deny that the offer had been withdrawn.