Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are reportedly engaged in urgent discussions with Netflix executives following a wave of critical backlash against Markle's new lifestyle series With Love, Meghan, raising concerns over the future of the couple's $100 million streaming partnership.
The series, which premiered March 4, was intended to showcase Markle's aspirational brand of hospitality and wellness. Instead, it drew immediate condemnation from media outlets and viewers alike. Olivia Craighead of The Cut wrote that while the show was supposed to spotlight "small moments of joy," she found that "the small moments of joy for the viewers are few and far between."
Variety's Daniel D'Addario described the series as "a forced march," adding, "Markle's guests must, as the price of getting to share an afternoon in a made-for-TV kitchen with her, praise her first."
Online response has been equally unforgiving. One viewer on Rotten Tomatoes commented, "This isn't even a fun hate watch. It's just bad."
Royal commentator Neil Sean suggested the series bore an uncanny resemblance to Pamela's Cooking With Love, hosted by Pamela Anderson. In a YouTube video, Sean displayed side-by-side footage of both shows, including identical guest high-five scenes.
"Meghan expected the usual haters to come after her, but the scale of negativity has been on another level that's truly shocking to her and Harry," a source familiar with the couple's thinking said. "They are now locked in crisis talks over their entire Netflix deal."
The couple's lucrative relationship with the streaming giant began in 2020 with a $100 million agreement. That deal produced Harry & Meghan, a six-part docuseries that chronicled their exit from royal life. But the pair's media ventures have faced setbacks, including a failed $20 million podcast deal with Spotify and poor reception to their Netflix polo documentary.
"She really hoped to win people over this time and she's still clinging to that dream, even though it's obvious that the knives are out on both sides of the pond and people are labeling the show unrelatable and boring," an insider said.
Despite the negative reception, Netflix has greenlit a second season of With Love, Meghan. Insiders say that decision has been met with internal concern at the platform.
"All hopes are riding on that, but there's a real worry at Netflix that people only tuned in out of morbid curiosity - so the sequel is likely to be a total bust as well," the source said.
In the meantime, the couple may be evaluating their next move. Some insiders speculate Markle could pivot to publishing. "If season 2 of her show tanks," one source said, "she may finally commit to writing a memoir."
While Markle's series struggles to find its footing, Prince Harry may have another project in development. Sources say Netflix has proposed a new $100 million deal centered on a documentary commemorating the 30th anniversary of Princess Diana's death in 2027.
"The idea is that it would be a solo project for Harry, who would serve as a co-executive producer while also hosting and narrating the series," a person familiar with the pitch said.
"He is uniquely placed, not only to talk about the woman he knew as his mother but also to examine her role as an enduring social and cultural icon still beloved by so many," the source added.
The original Netflix contract is expected to conclude this year, and the streaming platform is reportedly weighing its future collaboration with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as performance pressure mounts.
