Netflix's latest release, Polo, promised a glamorous behind-the-scenes glimpse into the high-stakes world of polo.
The series aimed to showcase the adrenaline-fueled lives of elite players competing in the US Open Polo Championship in Wellington, Florida. With Prince Harry and Meghan Markle credited as executive producers, many anticipated the project to exude a regal sheen. However, instead of receiving acclaim, the series has been met with widespread criticism, mockery, and embarrassment, casting a shadow over the Sussexes' involvement.
Set to premiere globally on December 10th, Polo was envisioned as a celebration of the sport's intensity and allure. Yet, the release of the trailer sparked a wave of negative reactions. Polo players, including Nacho Figueras, deliver lines like, "Imagine going on a horse at 35 mph with someone coming at you full speed." While intended to sound exhilarating, the dialogue left viewers cringing at what they perceived as an overhyped and poorly executed portrayal. One comment that stood out described polo as “a sexy sport with dirty, sweaty boys riding,” a desperate attempt to inject allure that was widely ridiculed. “Hard pass,” one viewer quipped, echoing the collective sentiment.
The harshest criticism was aimed at Prince Harry himself. A blind item from Sten alleged that Harry’s acting in Polo was so catastrophically poor that most of his scenes were cut from the final version. Critics compared it to his infamous juggling cameo in Meghan’s birthday video or his exaggerated reaction to Beyoncé’s text message, noting that Polo delivered more of the same, only worse. “I didn’t think anyone could be worse at acting than Meghan, but Harry proved me wrong,” one observer commented. His performance also resurrected mockery over his "jelly roll" commercial, with one social media user joking, “If his acting is anything like that ad, no wonder it was cut.”
The polo community has been similarly unkind. One insider described the trailer as "hilarious, but not in a good way," while others dismissed it as "tacky and cringey." Ironically, a series intended to elevate polo’s image has instead leaned into stereotypes of privilege and excess. While the sport has been making strides toward inclusivity, Polo paints it as a pastime for the rich and glamorous, further alienating viewers. “So much for bridging the divide between the royals and the rest of us,” one insider remarked.
Unsurprisingly, no Sussex-related project is complete without Meghan Markle becoming a point of discussion. Speculation swirled that her role in the series was scaled back, with some suggesting she might have tried to insert herself into every available camera frame. Comparisons to Pretty Woman abounded, with others speculating that her apparent love of the spotlight might have contributed to scenes being cut.
However, the backlash raises a larger question: Is the criticism truly about the series, or does it stem from public fatigue with the Sussexes? “Every day, they dominate headlines just to read about themselves,” one exasperated viewer wrote. “It’s cheap reality rubbish that no one cares about.”
What was intended as a polished exploration of polo’s dynamic world has instead become fodder for ridicule. Between Harry’s alleged acting mishaps and the trailer’s overall awkwardness, it’s clear Polo has missed the mark. Far from lending credibility, the Sussexes' involvement seems to have turned the project into a spectacle of derision.
