Meghan Markle's new Netflix endeavor, With Love, Meghan, demonstrates that even a streaming giant like Netflix can't always spin gold from uninspired material.
The show, which debuted in January, came with an odd choice of timing. Launching a lifestyle series centered around fresh salads, sunny brunches, and tea parties in the dead of winter, when many are battling seasonal blues, seemed poorly thought out. Winter hardly feels like the season for basking in lighthearted escapism of this nature. Someone, it seems, failed to consider the timing’s impact on viewer interest—a misstep that Netflix has occasionally been guilty of in the past.
Not only did the show’s January release feel out of sync with the audience’s seasonal mood, but the promotional effort was also surprisingly lackluster. Far from the high-profile, big-budget launches Netflix is known for, With Love, Meghan quietly appeared on the platform with about as much fanfare as an old rerun tucked into the archives. There was no marketing blitz, no widespread social media campaigns, and little to no public anticipation. For a platform that can launch blockbusters with the force of a cultural phenomenon, the muted rollout of this series raised eyebrows. To industry insiders, it felt less like a star project and more like Netflix ticking off a contractual obligation.
A PR expert familiar with the industry described the situation bluntly: Netflix appeared to have low expectations for the series. The absence of any meaningful marketing push was almost comedic. It’s as though the company planned to air the episodes, let them garner minimal traction, and quietly move on to the next shiny project. Critics predict this approach could culminate in eventual cancellation, possibly accompanied by a flurry of legal or PR drama.
Perhaps the most surprising move was Netflix’s decision to leave the show’s comment section open—a rare occurrence for high-profile releases. Typically, Netflix shields its top-tier content from public criticism to maintain a polished image. However, with With Love, Meghan, the company seemingly took a hands-off approach, allowing viewers to share their unfiltered thoughts. And share they did. From accusations of a lack of originality to critiques of Meghan’s authenticity, the comments were a flurry of sharp wit and pointed observations. Some viewers even claimed that Meghan’s recipes and ideas appeared to borrow heavily from celebrity chefs like Ina Garten. The trailer itself, intended to generate excitement, instead became a lightning rod for mockery, its comment section flooded with relentless snark.
The Sussex Squad—Meghan’s loyal group of online defenders—found themselves working overtime to counter the deluge of criticism. But even their efforts couldn’t shift the narrative surrounding the show. The general consensus? It lacked originality, charisma, and a clear sense of purpose.
The fallout wasn’t limited to the show. Meghan’s public image seemed to take another hit, with her attempts to align herself with high-profile celebrities looking increasingly strained. Where were the endorsements, the star-studded shoutouts, and the collaborative buzz? Former connections and celebrity acquaintances appeared to be keeping their distance, as though they saw the project’s potential failure coming long before it aired.
Adding to the sense of disinterest was the way Netflix released the show—without the usual weeklong buildup or buzz-generating teasers. Instead, With Love, Meghan dropped suddenly, with little fanfare, leaving many to wonder if Netflix executives were simply waiting for it to flop so they could quietly cut ties. It’s hard to escape the feeling that this project was set up to fail from the outset.
Ultimately, With Love, Meghan feels like a streaming equivalent of an uninspired holiday card—a gesture without real passion or thought behind it. Bland, forgettable, and lacking the spark necessary to captivate its audience, the series appears destined for an early exit. And as for Meghan Markle’s Netflix cooking career? It seems likely that this venture, much like the stale bread it sought to revitalize, will soon be a thing of the past.
