Meghan Markle could be eyeing a return to Hollywood acting after her latest business ventures proved fruitless. The Duchess of Sussex launched a number of ventures this year, including a new lifestyle brand, As Ever, a new Netflix show, With Love, Meghan, and a new podcast series, Confessions of a Female Founder.

But her projects were not met with the level of success the Duchess would have hoped for and were mostly savaged by critics, with sources now urging her to "go back to her roots". With Love, Meghan's first season, launched back in spring, nosedived to the 383rd spot with 5.3 million views globally on the streamer's most-watched series list, while the second season, released in September, failed to even make it to Netflix's Top 10 in the UK, the US, or globally during its debut week.

Although Meghan rushed to announce a second season shortly after the first one was released, a third season for With Love, Meghan has still not been confirmed. A Christmas special coming this December foreshadows an ominous future for the Duchess's cookery show.

Meanwhile, Meghan's new podcast series has no set date for another season, with the Duchess claiming she wants to take a break and focus on her lifestyle brand.

But As Ever has also faced its own setbacks, after being renamed from American Riviera Orchard due to trademark issues, inadequate stock during its first few launches and customer refunds.

Meghan's projects have received mostly negative reviews from critics and now sources claimed the Duchess is weighing in possible routes for a steadier income, and that includes a return to acting.

The Duchess of Sussex starred in legal drama Suits before marrying into the Royal Family in 2018, after previously having taken smaller roles in other projects.

Now, a source has told Radar Online, "Meghan put her heart into this show, but the ratings are not what she hoped for. That leaves her at a crossroads.

"People in the industry still see her as an actress first and foremost, not a lifestyle guru, and she's being urged to go back to her roots."

They added: "But going back to acting is going to be a humiliating journey. The truth is, she was a terrible actress, and no one in Hollywood is going to want to cast her in big projects, as she is also seen as toxic.

"She is doomed to chase something that will not succeed, like everything else she touches."

An industry source added: "Everyone knows money is a real factor here. Meghan has been determined to carve her own identity beyond the royals, but if the lifestyle projects stall, acting remains a strong option."

Meghan previously spoke about how she realised that she missed being on set while filming her Netflix show, telling listeners of the Aspire podcast with Emma Grede: "Sometimes [I miss acting.]

"But you know what, actually, having a large team, being back on set with With Love, Meghan was great, because I realised how much I missed my crew. I love being around a crew."