Meghan Markle’s Netflix show bombs as critics Call it ‘desperate’

Meghan Markle’s highly anticipated Netflix lifestyle series, With Love, Meghan, premiered today, but critics didn’t hold back, slamming it as “gormless lifestyle filler” and “tangible desperation.”

The eight-episode show, which features the Duchess of Sussex sharing cooking, gardening, and hosting tips from a California estate, was meant to be a defining moment for her and Prince Harry’s $100 million Netflix deal. Instead, early reviews suggest it may be their last project with the streaming giant if it fails to perform.

Critics Rip Into Meghan’s New Show

Reviewers across major media outlets took aim at With Love, Meghan, questioning its substance and authenticity.

• Amanda Platell (Mail+): Called the show “so awful it’s almost compelling” and suggested Netflix is banking on a “hate-watch” audience to boost viewership.
• Stuart Heritage (Guardian): Described it as “so pointless it might be the Sussexes’ last TV show.” He added, “Nobody wants to see Meghan making decorative ladybird crostini with Mindy Kaling.”
• Anita Singh (Telegraph): Mocked the format, noting Meghan invites people to a “pretend house” to tell her how “amazing” she is.
• Alexander Larman (Spectator): Said the show reeks of desperation, calling it “an undistinguished thing that she hoped would never be aired.”
• Katie Rosseinsky (The Independent): Found it exhausting, saying, “The blend of aesthetic curation, inspiring truisms, and edible flowers might leave you queasy.”
• Ed Power (Irish Times): Blasted the show as “lustreless and bland,” claiming it “doesn’t even rise to the status of a hate-watch.”

Even BBC’s Sean Coughlan questioned whether this signals a “final departure from any prospect of a return to palace life” for Meghan.

Is This the End of Meghan and Harry’s Netflix Deal?

The Sussexes’ deal with Netflix has been under scrutiny after mixed results. Their Harry & Meghan docuseries was a massive hit, but follow-ups like Live to Lead and Heart of Invictus failed to generate buzz. With Love, Meghan was seen as a crucial test—one that may determine the couple’s future with the streaming giant.

Netflix is reportedly monitoring its performance closely, and sources say the deal may quietly expire if it fails to attract viewers.

A Last-Ditch Effort to Reinvent Brand Sussex?

The show coincides with Meghan’s rebranded lifestyle company As Ever, a pivot from her failed American Riviera Orchard brand. Critics have pointed out inconsistencies, including the fact that With Love, Meghan was filmed in a rented $8 million mansion rather than her own Montecito home.

With Netflix stores set to feature her products, this project is more than just a show—it’s a business move. But if ratings flop, Meghan’s attempts to break into the lifestyle market could also be in jeopardy.

Will Viewers Tune In?

Despite harsh reviews, Meghan still has a devoted fanbase. Some believe Netflix is counting on controversy and ‘hate-watching’ to drive viewership. Others see it as a final attempt to stay relevant in Hollywood.

Either way, With Love, Meghan is being watched closely—not just by audiences, but by Netflix executives deciding the Sussexes’ future in streaming.