Meghan Markle's anticipated Netflix cooking and lifestyle show could be at risk of never airing, according to industry sources.
For nearly a year, there have been whispers about Meghan creating her own show focused on "the joys of cooking, gardening, entertaining, and friendship." This series was expected to complement her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, but so far, there has been no official release date. The only updates have been limited to a few product launches, such as jam and dog biscuits.
Now, a Netflix insider has shared with *MailOnline's* Martin Robinson that the Duchess’s long-awaited show "may not see the light of day." The source added that while some still believe the show could be released—especially if it helps promote Meghan’s lifestyle brand—this project could prove pivotal for the couple's future in television. "It will be make or break," the insider said, noting that after the failure of their *Polo* series, there may not be any further deals in the works, with only a few one-off specials possible.
Another source echoed this concern, telling *MailOnline's* Alison Boshoff, “It’s make or break. People say Netflix is exhausted.”
The pressure on Meghan has only intensified following the release of *Polo* on Netflix earlier this month. The documentary received widespread criticism, with many pointing out that polo is considered a sport for the wealthy elite. The *Telegraph* described the series as "tedious," while the *Mail on Sunday* dismissed it as "a load of old tosh." *The Guardian* predicted that the show would quickly fade into obscurity, stating, “Polo looks destined to fall through the submenus into obscurity at the speed of light. And rightly so.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex signed a five-year, $100 million (£80 million) deal with Netflix in 2020, which is set to conclude in the fall of next year. It remains unclear whether Netflix will continue their partnership, especially after the couple’s £15 million Spotify contract ended prematurely in June of last year. Hollywood executives have suggested that any new deal with the Sussexes is unlikely to come close to the $100 million agreement they initially signed, largely due to the minimal amount of content they have produced so far.
Should Meghan's series be released, it is expected to debut in the first quarter of the year, alongside her brand. However, it has not appeared in Netflix’s January schedule, meaning it may air in late February—following Prince Harry's Invictus Games in Whistler, Canada—or possibly in March.
