Meghan Markle’s Netflix Show Hits Major Snag Amid $100M Deal – What Went Wrong?

The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, has long been a polarizing figure in the global spotlight. From her days as a Hollywood actress to her brief tenure as a working royal, and now as a media mogul, her every move garners headlines. Her latest venture, the Netflix lifestyle series With Love, Meghan, was launched with high expectations, promising an intimate look into her curated world of cooking, gardening, and hosting. Yet, despite a flashy debut, the show has stumbled, failing to break into Netflix’s top 300 most-watched programs for the first half of 2025. What went wrong for the Duchess’s ambitious project, and what does this mean for her media empire dreams?

A Promising Start That Fizzled Out

When With Love, Meghan premiered on March 4, 2025, it was met with a whirlwind of publicity. The eight-episode series, filmed at a picturesque Montecito estate (notably not Meghan’s actual home), featured the Duchess sharing her tips on cooking, gardening, and entertaining, alongside high-profile guests like Mindy Kaling, Roy Choi, and Alice Waters. Netflix hyped the show as a “heartfelt tribute to the beauty of Southern California,” blending practical how-to’s with candid conversations. The series initially soared, landing at number ten on Netflix’s global Top 10 Shows Overview list just a week after its debut, with 2.6 million views and 12.6 million hours watched.

But the early buzz didn’t last. By the time Netflix released its Engagement Report for the first half of 2025, With Love, Meghan had plummeted to a disappointing 383rd place, with just 5.3 million views globally. To put this in perspective, the top show, British drama Adolescence, racked up 145 million views, while even older series like Peaky Blinders (2014) and Meghan’s own former show Suits (2011) outperformed her new venture. The numbers paint a stark picture: despite the star power and a reported $100 million Netflix deal, With Love, Meghan struggled to maintain viewer interest.

Critical Backlash and Viewer Apathy

The show’s lackluster performance can’t be attributed to a lack of exposure. Meghan’s return to Instagram in early 2025, perfectly timed with the show’s launch, ensured a media frenzy. Yet, critical reception was brutal. Reviewers tore into the series, calling it everything from “smug and syrupy” to “an exercise in narcissism.” The Guardian gave it a scathing one-star review, labeling it “gormless lifestyle filler,” while The Independent described it as “queasy and exhausting.” On Rotten Tomatoes, the show scored a dismal 33% critics’ rating and an even lower 20% audience score. Even Meghan’s father, Thomas Markle, reportedly criticized the show, expressing disappointment over her decision to drop the Markle surname in favor of Sussex.

The criticism often centered on the show’s perceived inauthenticity. Filmed in a rented Montecito estate rather than her own home, With Love, Meghan was accused of presenting a polished, unattainable lifestyle that felt disconnected from everyday viewers. One reviewer noted the irony of a show about “authentic” homemaking being shot on what was essentially a set. Comedian Christina Pazsitzky went as far as calling Meghan “highly inauthentic” and “phony,” comparing her unfavorably to lifestyle icons like Martha Stewart. For a show meant to embrace “playfulness over perfection,” it seemed to many that Meghan was trying too hard to project an idealized image.

Viewer reactions on platforms like X echoed the critics. While some fans found the show “charming” and appreciated its cozy aesthetic, others mocked its unrelatability, with one user quipping, “Who knew a Duchess could make peas look so elitist?” The show’s moments of unintentional humor, like Meghan’s insistence on calling peas “green pearls” or her repeated use of edible flowers, became meme fodder online. Despite the negativity, a small but vocal group of supporters argued that the show’s niche appeal as a lifestyle program shouldn’t be judged against blockbuster dramas, pointing out that 5.3 million views still placed it in the top 6% of Netflix’s 7,000 shows.

A Crowded Streaming Landscape

The competitive nature of the streaming world didn’t help Meghan’s cause. Netflix’s 2025 lineup was dominated by heavyweights like Squid Game Seasons 2 and 3, which drew 117 million and 72 million views, respectively. Even less high-profile shows like The Residence (33 million views) and Missing You (58 million views) outperformed With Love, Meghan. The lifestyle genre itself is a tough sell in today’s streaming market, where viewers often gravitate toward gripping dramas or reality TV with more immediate hooks. Compared to the success of Meghan’s earlier Netflix project, the 2022 docuseries Harry & Meghan, which set records with 81.55 million viewing hours, her latest offering feels like a misstep.

The show’s tie-in with Meghan’s lifestyle brand, As Ever, was meant to bolster its appeal. Launched in spring 2025, As Ever quickly gained traction, with products like wildflower honey and raspberry spread selling out in minutes. However, the brand’s success hasn’t translated to viewership for the show, which was intended to serve as a promotional vehicle. Critics noted that the series often felt like an extended advertisement for As Ever, with frequent shots of Meghan’s jams and honey, which may have alienated viewers looking for substance over branding.

Season 2: A Chance for Redemption?

Despite the disappointing numbers, Netflix has confirmed that a second season of With Love, Meghan is already in the can, with filming completed and a release expected in fall 2025. The announcement came just days after the first season’s premiere, with Meghan celebrating on Instagram, sporting a “lettuce romaine calm” cap and promising “more fun” to come. Guests like Chrissy Teigen and Chef José Andrés are slated to appear, and director Michael Steed will return. The swift renewal suggests Netflix’s confidence in Meghan’s star power, even if the first season underperformed.

Insiders have noted that both seasons were filmed back-to-back, a cost-effective strategy that allows for tweaks based on viewer feedback. This could be a lifeline for the show, giving Meghan a chance to address criticisms about authenticity and relatability. However, the lack of an announced release date for Season 2 has raised eyebrows, with some speculating that Netflix may be hedging its bets, waiting to gauge public reaction before committing to a firm premiere.

What Went Wrong?

Several factors likely contributed to the show’s lackluster performance. First, the lifestyle genre is inherently niche, lacking the broad appeal of dramas or reality shows with high-stakes conflict. Meghan’s attempt to channel Martha Stewart or Ina Garten fell flat for audiences who found her polished persona unrelatable. The decision to film in a rented estate, rather than her own home, fueled perceptions of inauthenticity, undermining the show’s premise of offering a glimpse into her personal life.

Second, Meghan’s polarizing public image played a role. As a former royal and a figure who has faced relentless media scrutiny, she carries a unique burden. Some viewers and critics seem predisposed to dislike anything she produces, while others expected a more raw, revealing look at her life post-royalty. The absence of personal anecdotes about her royal past or her children, Archie and Lilibet, may have disappointed those hoping for deeper insights.

Finally, the show’s execution didn’t live up to its ambitious billing. While Meghan’s charisma and eye for aesthetics were evident, the series lacked the warmth and relatability of successful lifestyle shows. Moments meant to feel spontaneous, like her banter with guests, often came across as scripted or overly curated. The focus on high-end products and settings further distanced it from the everyday viewer.

The Road Ahead

The failure to crack Netflix’s top 300 is a setback, but it’s not the end of the road for Meghan’s media ambitions. Her Netflix deal, reportedly worth $100 million, has already produced the successful Harry & Meghan docuseries, and As Ever’s rapid sell-outs show she has a loyal fanbase. The second season of With Love, Meghan offers a chance to pivot, perhaps by leaning into more authentic, relatable content or doubling down on the escapist fantasy that appeals to her core audience.

For now, the Duchess remains undeterred, with her Instagram posts radiating optimism. Whether she can turn the tide with Season 2 remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Meghan Markle’s journey to build a media empire is far from over. In a world where attention is currency, even a “flop” keeps her in the conversation.