Meghan Markle's latest venture into the streaming world with "With Love, Meghan" has not gone as planned, attracting significant criticism and skepticism about her future projects at Netflix.
According to News Nation, the show's failure to impress both critics and audiences raises questions about her ongoing partnership with Netflix under a lucrative deal.
Meghan Markle's food and lifestyle show debuted on Netflix but quickly fell out of favor, reaching only the sixth spot on the platform's most-watched list. The series featured Meghan exploring various culinary traditions and lifestyle topics, intended to connect with audiences globally.
Director Mike Steed, known for his work with Anthony Bourdain, led the production of "With Love, Meghan." Despite Steed's respected credentials, the show struggled to resonate with viewers, who labeled it as lacking in depth and substance.
A significant issue with "With Love, Meghan" was its high production costs. The show was filmed in a lavish $5 million home, reflecting an opulent backdrop that failed to compensate for the criticism of its content. An insider described the situation as "an extremely expensive show to make."
Despite such investments, Netflix chose not to release a review episode to critics, an unusual move suggesting low confidence in the show's reception. This decision possibly backfired, as it did not preempt the wave of negative reviews from both U.S. and U.K. critics who found the show to be vain and narcissistic.
Meanwhile, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's overall deal with Netflix, reportedly worth $100 million, has not yielded the success anticipated. Besides "With Love, Meghan," the couple produced "Heart of Invictus," "Live to Lead," and Harry’s project "Polo." All failed to make a notable impact compared to their 2022 docuseries "Harry & Meghan," which remains their sole successful endeavor under the deal.
Given the tumultuous reception and financial performance of recent projects, sources suggest Netflix is reconsidering its partnership with Meghan. The streaming giant may be aiming to conclude its agreement with her due to the financial losses incurred thus far.
A Hollywood insider commented on the situation, highlighting the financial aspect: "They’ve lost so much money on her, and they’re trying to finish a deal which they can’t get out of … how could they not be done with her?" This illustrates the growing doubts within Netflix about the profitability of continuing their collaboration with Markle.
Furthermore, the timing of Meghan's product line release under her brand "As Ever" has faced criticism. The Wall Street Journal pointed to consumer spending dips, exacerbated by food inflation, which could reduce the potential success of her lifestyle products.
The reviews from critics have been harsh, with descriptions like “pointless” frequently mentioned. This feedback reflects a disconnect between the show's intended message of connectivity and self-care, and the perception of audiences who viewed it as self-centered.
Audience reactions have mirrored these critiques, with many expressing their dissatisfaction on social media and through viewer ratings. This collective disappointment signifies a challenging road ahead for Markle in the digital content sphere, particularly in lifestyle and wellness-themed productions.
As "With Love, Meghan" struggles to find its footing, the future of Meghan Markle’s endeavors with Netflix hangs in the balance. The outcome of this project might serve as a critical lesson in celebrity-led content production, where audience engagement and cost-management play pivotal roles in defining success or failure.
As the dust settles, the broader implications of Meghan's Netflix saga will possibly influence future deals between streaming services and celebrities. The industry watches closely how partnerships that promise great returns based on star power alone might need reevaluation concerning actual audience engagement and content value.
The aftermath of "With Love, Meghan" illustrates an evolving landscape in streaming content, where not all that glitters, even when backed by royal star power, turns to gold. This scenario might prompt Netflix and similar entities to proceed with caution with high-profile, high-cost productions that do not guarantee a return on investment.
For Meghan Markle, the road ahead involves critical decision-making on whether to recalibrate her media strategy or perhaps shift focus to more traditional modes of influence and philanthropy that align more closely with public expectations and market realities.
