They say numbers don't lie, but people do. You don’t need to be a mathematician to see that Meghan Markle’s Netflix cooking show, With Love, Meghan, is a complete disaster. Less than a week after its March 4th premiere, the show has dropped off Netflix’s global top 10 list. Insiders now claim that Netflix executives are panicking, realizing they may have backed the wrong horse. Now, they are scrambling to salvage their investment.
In today’s discussion, we’ll break down the drama surrounding Meghan Markle’s second season, the behind-the-scenes chaos, and the lingering uncertainty over her Netflix contract.
Meghan Markle seems to be celebrating Easter a bit early this year—because her show has already flopped and hopped off Netflix’s top 10 list in America within a week. And it’s not just the U.S.—her show has disappeared from the top 10 rankings in ten other major markets.
Netflix executives are watching their investment go down the drain. The ratings are abysmal, with the show barely pulling 11% of viewer engagement. To put things into perspective, it ranked behind wrestling and basic sitcom reruns.
This marks yet another failure for Meghan and Prince Harry, following a string of underwhelming projects. While With Love, Meghan performed better than their previous ventures, it was largely driven by curiosity—people love watching a train wreck. Netflix gambled on that spectacle, but the numbers don’t justify the investment.
Comparing Meghan’s Show to Harry & Meghan
The docuseries Harry & Meghan managed 2.1 million views in just four days, while With Love, Meghan only racked up 526,000 views in six days. That’s a steep decline, proving that her initial success was more about royal controversy than personal appeal. Critics have labeled the show a failure, and even loyal Meghan supporters are finding it unrelatable and superficial.
The Biggest Problems Behind the Scenes
1. Harsh Reviews and a Lack of Substance
The show has been brutally roasted by critics, viewers, and even former Meghan fans. Many find it unauthentic and lacking in value. The biggest criticism? Meghan Markle’s “cooking” segments consist of taking pretzels from one bag, putting them in another, and tying a ribbon around it. That’s hardly gourmet entertainment, especially for a multi-million-dollar Netflix deal.
Instead of offering real cooking tips, the show is essentially an ego-boosting platform for Meghan. If you’re looking for actual recipes, you’d be better off Googling them or browsing Pinterest.
2. Branding and Trademark Issues
The brand confusion surrounding With Love, Meghan is another major issue. Netflix initially planned to collaborate with Meghan on a broader lifestyle brand, but that has turned into a logistical nightmare. Her As Ever website features products with no prices, and as of now, she still lacks the trademark necessary to legally sell them.
This has been an embarrassment for Netflix, which invested heavily in Meghan’s lifestyle brand. Without an official trademark, product launches remain uncertain. Rumors suggest Netflix may wait until fall to release some of these items in select stores, but no concrete plans have been confirmed.
3. Behind-the-Scenes Drama
Meghan Markle’s reputation for being difficult to work with has only fueled the chaos. She previously fired her editing and marketing teams after her show’s disastrous trailer reception. Now, she’s clashing with Netflix over which scenes should be kept or re-edited for season two.
While Meghan excitedly announced a second season, sources reveal that it was actually filmed alongside season one. Networks often split content to maximize revenue, and Netflix may try to re-edit season two to make Meghan appear more likable and engaging. However, given the poor reception of season one, the platform is hesitant to invest more money into salvaging a failing show.
Another major issue looming over Meghan Markle is her Netflix contract renewal. Insiders report that her contract is up for renewal in April, but given the lackluster performance of her projects, Netflix is unlikely to extend it under the same terms. Instead of a lucrative five-year deal worth $100 million, future collaborations may be structured on a project-by-project basis.
This means Meghan will have to prove her value with each new endeavor, rather than relying on a guaranteed payout. Since her existing projects have consistently underperformed, it’s unlikely she will command the same level of financial backing moving forward.
Meghan and Harry were also attached to produce Meet Me at the Lake, a film adaptation of a bestselling book. However, that project has been on hold for over a year. Given the couple’s declining relevance, Netflix may opt to hand the movie to a different production team.
At this point, Netflix executives appear to be re-evaluating their entire deal with Meghan Markle. With With Love, Meghan failing to generate buzz and her As Ever brand struggling to launch, the writing is on the wall. While she may still have contractual obligations through 2025, it’s clear that Netflix is hesitant to throw more money at a losing venture.
Unless Meghan can turn things around with a successful product launch or a major revamp of season two, her time as Netflix’s golden investment may be coming to an end.
