Meghan Markle was being lined up to appear in the next Bond film, according to a new report.

Shortly after she and Prince Harry announced their engagement in November, Markle confirmed she would not be returning to Suits, the legal drama series she has starred in since 2011. She also told the BBC she would be "transitioning" away from acting so she could devote herself full time to royal duties.

However, before the engagement was announced, Markle had apparently impressed the producers of the 25th Bond movie, which is due in 2019.

The Sun quotes an unnamed source as saying: "Meghan fits the role of a Bond girl perfectly. She’s glamorous and sexy and a good actress. The role more recently has gone to actresses deemed to be rising stars, and Meghan certainly was seen as that before her relationship with Harry became public. The brief was to find a glamorous rising star, specifically someone American or Canadian."

The source reportedly added: "Producers had narrowed down her and four other actresses on a shortlist last year with Bond 25 in mind. But the minute her relationship to Harry came to light they assumed she was out of the running so it soon became a list of four. Her engagement effectively spelt an end to her acting career too so that was the final blow."

Markle's acting career began in 2002 and also includes guest roles in the TV shows Fringe, 90210, and Knight Rider. She also appeared in the films Horrible Bosses and Get Him to the Greek.

She and Prince Harry will wed at St. George's Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle on May 19 next year. The 25th Bond movie will be the fifth to star Daniel Craig as 007 and is due in 2019.

Which actors would you like to see starring opposite Daniel Craig in the new Bond movie?