There’s no doubt about it—With Love, Meghan has been a ratings disaster. Despite Netflix’s attempts to spin additional footage into a so-called “Season 2,” it’s clear that the show’s struggles are far from over. Instead of a fresh new season, what viewers are actually getting is an extension of Season 1, repackaged to appear as something more substantial. However, between poor audience reception and mounting controversy behind the scenes, it seems like Meghan Markle’s Netflix venture is heading toward even bigger trouble.
Since its debut, With Love, Meghan has faced harsh criticism, with audiences calling it inauthentic and uninspiring. The backlash has only intensified over time, leading to internal tension at Netflix headquarters. As Markle scrambles to control the damage, her efforts appear to be doing more harm than good. Instead of reviving interest, the controversy surrounding the show has led to growing frustration among Netflix executives, with subscribers abandoning the platform in significant numbers.
Markle and her team, including producer Mindy Kaling and others involved in the project, have been fiercely defending the series. They have attributed the poor reception to sexism, misogyny, and unfair criticism rather than acknowledging the show’s fundamental shortcomings. However, audiences have pushed back against this narrative, arguing that the show simply lacks depth and authenticity. Viewers see right through the forced storytelling, making it difficult for With Love, Meghan to gain any real traction.
Despite the ongoing ratings nightmare, Meghan Markle has ambitious plans for what she is calling “Season 2.” Scheduled to begin filming by June, this next installment is already shaping up to be even more polarizing. Reports indicate that Markle is actively reaching out to politicians to appear on the show, including California Governor Gavin Newsom and former Vice President Kamala Harris, who recently lost the 2024 election to Donald Trump.
Markle reportedly wants to feature a full episode with Newsom, where they would cook together while discussing the California wildfires. The plan is to incorporate roughly 10 to 15 minutes of footage featuring the two in the kitchen, along with B-roll footage from Markle’s past visits to wildfire-affected areas.
Additionally, Markle has invited Kamala Harris to appear in Episode 5, where they would have a conversation about diversity while preparing a meal. The episode would also include a segment in which Harris shares her personal emotions regarding her election loss. While Markle sees this as an opportunity to blend politics with lifestyle content, Netflix’s CEO Greg Peters is reportedly furious over the direction the show is taking, fearing even greater backlash.
At the heart of the controversy is Netflix’s internal division over these plans. Around 60% of board members are reportedly backing Markle’s decision to incorporate political figures into With Love, Meghan, believing it will expand the show’s audience. However, the remaining 40% are strongly opposed, arguing that such a move will only alienate viewers further. Some executives have even called for an emergency meeting to reassess the company’s business model, especially as Netflix faces subscriber losses due to price hikes and declining content quality.
Combining politics with cooking is already a questionable move, but adding Meghan Markle to the mix makes it an even riskier endeavor. Given Harris’ history of being criticized for inauthentic public appearances—especially in discussions about cooking and lifestyle—it’s unclear how this strategy will play out. Netflix’s attempt to provide a platform for potential 2028 political candidates through With Love, Meghan may backfire, further damaging the platform’s reputation.
Netflix is currently pushing ahead with plans to release the second installment of With Love, Meghan in fall 2025. Despite their efforts to frame it as a new season, it’s essentially just a continuation of Season 1. The question remains—will this gamble pay off, or will it be the final nail in the coffin for Markle’s Netflix ambitions?
At this point, it appears that Netflix is creatively bankrupt when it comes to Markle’s content, and once this next installment is released, the platform may have little reason to continue working with her. As controversy continues to swirl, one thing is certain—audiences aren’t buying into With Love, Meghan, no matter how much Netflix tries to salvage it.