Meghan Markle’s new lifestyle Netflix series, “With Love, Meghan,” is being slammed by critics in the British press following its Tuesday debut on the streaming service, marking the latest media venture by Markle and her husband, Prince Harry, to struggle to connect with viewers.

Meghan Markle’s new series, “With Love, Meghan,” premiered Tuesday. (Photo by Astrida … [+] Valigorsky/Getty Images)

Getty Images

Key Facts

All eight episodes of “With Love, Meghan,” premiered Tuesday following a delay during the Los Angeles wildfires in January—the royal couple’s latest project for Netflix as part of a deal reportedly worth $100 million.

In each episode, Markle invites celebrity friends to her home, in which she offers tips about homemaking and cooking, which has drawn comparisons from several critics to the work of lifestyle guru Martha Stewart.

Some of Markle’s celebrity guests include actress-writer Mindy Kaling, her former “Suits” co-star Abigail Spencer, Argentine athlete and influencer Delfina Blaquier, and celebrity chefs Roy Choi and Alice Waters.

Chief Critics

Many reviewers, particularly in the British press, were critical of the show. The Independent critic Katie Rosseinsky gave the series a one-star rating out of five, calling the series “queasy and exhausting” and stating it “strains for aspiration and relatability in a way that never gels.” The Guardian critic Stuart Heritage called the series “gormless lifestyle filler” and the “third consecutive disappointment” Markle and Prince Harry have produced for Netflix, citing their “Heart of Invictus” and “Polo” documentary series. The Times, a British newspaper, said in a two-star review that Markle is talented at creative presentation, but slammed the series’ “desperate upbeatness” and criticized it for “presenting her extreme wealth and mind-bogglingly exclusive lifestyle as if it is available to anyone.” In another two-star review, The Telegraph called the series an “exercise in narcissism,” slamming the concept of the show: “Meghan invites people to her pretend house” and “they tell her how amazing she is. This happens for eight episodes,” critic Anita Singh wrote.

Contra

Some publications were less scathing in their reviews, including Vogue, which said some of Markle’s segments, including flower arranging and cooking, were “interesting and relatable” and showed her “passion.” Harper’s Bazaar said the series depicts Markle going “back to her roots,” citing her lifestyle blog The Tig, which she ran from 2014 to 2017, adding the series strikes a “fine balance between friendly lifestyle voyeurism” and “true service content.”

What Else Have Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Made For Netflix?

Markle and Prince Harry, who announced they would step down from royal duties in 2020 following an onslaught of criticism and bullying from British media and tensions within the royal family, pivoted to various media ventures, including a reported nine-figure deal with Netflix. For the streaming service, the royal couple have produced five series, including “With Love, Meghan.” The first of their projects was “Harry & Meghan,” a six-part documentary that premiered in 2022 and detailed their exit from the royal family. The series was a ratings hit, becoming Netflix’s biggest-ever debut for a documentary with 81.5 million hours watched in its first four days of release, but it was met with a mixed response from viewers and critics. The series has a 45% critics score and 19% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, while a survey of British adults by the market research firm Savanta found nearly six in ten thought the couple releasing the documentary was a bad idea. A YouGov poll from December 2022 found the couple’s popularity among the British public dropped after the documentary release, ranking them among the most unpopular royals, only ahead of Prince Andrew. Harry and Markle have also produced “Live to Lead,” a docuseries on world leaders, “Heart of Invictus,” about the Invictus Games held for wounded veterans, and “Polo,” a series showcasing the sport. In February 2024, The Wrap called the Netflix deal a “Hollywood miss,” citing multiple anonymous sources who said the royal couple have “worn out their welcome in Hollywood with an iron-fisted desire for control, combined with a lack of experience.”

Key Background

Harry and Markle have had mixed results with other media ventures, including Markle’s short-lived Spotify podcast, “Archetypes.” She produced only 12 episodes of her podcast before parting ways with the streaming platform in June 2023, which Markle and Spotify said in a joint statement was a mutual decision. But days later, Spotify’s head of podcasts Bill Simmons slammed the couple on his own podcast, calling them “grifters.” “‘The F—ing Grifters.’ That’s the podcast we should have launched with them,” Simmons said, adding: “I have got to get drunk one night and tell the story of the Zoom I had with Harry to try and help him with a podcast idea. It’s one of my best stories… F— them.” Harry also released a memoir, “Spare,” in 2023, which shattered sales records for nonfiction books but was met with mixed reviews from critics, according to book review aggregator Book Marks.

Does Meghan Markle Discuss The Royal Family In ‘with Love, Meghan?’

No, she does not explicitly discuss the royal family in the series, Variety reported. Some media outlets have interpreted some of Markle’s comments throughout the series as subtle jabs at the royal family. In one scene, Markle raises a glass to a “new chapter” of her life, which is “part of that creativity that I’ve missed so much,” The Independent reported, possibly referring to her time as a royal, during which she halted her entertainment career. In another instance, Markle introduces her makeup artist, Daniel Martin, whom she says has been in her life “for the before, during and after, shall we say,” Variety reported, another possible reference to her time in the royal family. Markle referred to her royal role in another scene with Kaling, who referred to her as “Meghan Markle.” “It’s so funny that you keep saying Meghan Markle. You know, I’m Sussex now,” Markle said, adding it feels “meaningful” to share the name with her husband and children. Harry also makes a brief cameo in the final episode’s final minutes during a brunch Markle hosts.

Further Reading

Meghan and Harry’s $100 Million Netflix Deal Is a Hollywood Miss | Exclusive (The Wrap)