One thing is becoming increasingly clear about Meghan Markle’s Netflix series With Love, Meghan—not only has it turned into a ratings disaster, but it’s also contributing to a wave of Netflix cancellations. While the show itself has received widespread criticism, the streaming giant is also grappling with customer dissatisfaction due to recent price hikes.
However, the real drama isn’t just about the audience’s reception. Behind the scenes, tensions have been mounting between Meghan Markle and Netflix CEO Greg Peters, along with the board of directors, who are reportedly divided over the future of the show.
There’s been significant speculation surrounding the fate of With Love, Meghan and whether a second season was ever in the works. Initially, Netflix had pre-planned a second installment as part of a contingency strategy, only to later cancel those plans. However, Meghan allegedly intervened, pushing for its revival—and succeeded.
It’s important to note that what’s now being framed as “Season 2” is not entirely fresh content. A substantial portion of unused footage from the first season, including deleted scenes, will be repurposed. Additionally, new material is expected to be filmed later this year, incorporating both on-location and studio shots to extend the runtime.
In an unexpected turn of events, reports suggest that Meghan Markle applied significant pressure on Netflix’s board members to reinstate With Love, Meghan. Allegedly, she even hinted at potential legal action over the cancellation and threatened to publicly disclose details of her Netflix contract—a move that would have put the company in an uncomfortable position.
Given the considerable investment already made in Markle’s deal, a faction of Netflix’s board ultimately sided with her, leading to the decision to move forward with the second season despite the show’s lackluster performance.
One of the most controversial aspects of With Love, Meghan moving forward is Meghan’s reported insistence on weaving her political views into the show. She aims to expand its scope beyond a cooking program, integrating discussions on social and political issues. This includes potential references to former President Donald Trump’s administration, as well as broader political discourse.
Furthermore, Markle is actively seeking high-profile guest appearances for the upcoming season. Sources indicate she has been in discussions with California Governor Gavin Newsom about making a cameo appearance. His participation would likely align with broader political narratives as he continues to build his national profile ahead of the 2028 election.
Internally, Netflix executives remain at odds over Meghan Markle’s demands. While approximately 60% of the board supports her vision, CEO Greg Peters has reportedly warned against making With Love, Meghan overly political. He fears that such a direction could alienate even more viewers and exacerbate the platform’s ongoing subscriber decline.
Nonetheless, Netflix has already committed to using the surplus footage from the first season to pad out Season 2. Additional scenes will be filmed starting in June 2025 to expand each episode’s length and improve its overall structure.
Despite the unexpected revival of Season 2, Netflix executives appear reluctant to greenlight a third season unless the show significantly improves in terms of viewership and reception. Many believe the series’ underperformance could make it a financial liability rather than an asset for the platform.
As discussions continue behind closed doors, the controversy surrounding With Love, Meghan only deepens. Whether this gamble will pay off for Netflix remains to be seen. For now, however, audience reception suggests that viewers are not buying into Markle’s vision, with many refusing to watch beyond the first few episodes.
