Meghan Markle is livid, but who’s really surprised? This is just the latest chapter in her ongoing saga with Netflix, and this time, it’s nothing short of a full-blown drama.
The latest headache for the streaming giant is With Love, Meghan, a lifestyle show that has quickly become one of Netflix’s most frustrating projects. Patience is wearing thin after poor ratings, disappointing test screenings, and an avalanche of behind-the-scenes drama. One of the most telling signs of trouble is the show's marketing budget, which has been slashed by a staggering $5 million.
Imagine being told that the promotional efforts for your passion project are being severely cut. As expected, Meghan wasn’t about to let this slide. In her usual attention-commanding style, she confronted Netflix executives, hoping to reverse the decision. Instead, the result was a wave of cancellations for high-profile promotional events. Gone are the plans for red carpet moments at Vanity Fair, lively chats on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, or even an appearance at the Oscars. Netflix has effectively hit the brakes on Meghan’s public visibility.
But the situation goes even further. In an effort to control the narrative, Netflix is reportedly limiting Meghan’s exposure even more—almost treating her like a PR liability. Speculation is swirling that her potential appearance at the 2025 Oscars is off the table entirely. Why? The company fears that giving her more of the spotlight might backfire, leading to even more public criticism. Meanwhile, the show itself is struggling, sinking under the weight of disastrous test screenings. In a last-ditch attempt to salvage it, Netflix is scrambling to make edits, but it’s unclear if anything can turn it around.
The troubles don’t stop there. The Netflix board is now reconsidering their investment in Meghan and her projects. Despite her reputation as a self-promoter, she hasn’t been able to pull in the audience or positive reception they had hoped for. Still, Netflix is trying to maintain appearances. Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria insists the company is excited about upcoming collaborations with the Sussexes, including their much-talked-about cooking show. But let’s be honest—excited might be a bit of a stretch. A more accurate description would be stuck in an expensive contract with no easy way out—at least not yet.
And if the With Love, Meghan drama wasn’t enough, there’s also the so-called polo documentary. Prince Harry’s latest project was met with a lukewarm response, with critics branding it dull. To make matters worse, the couple didn’t even put in the effort to promote it—no interviews, no appearances, nothing. This is what Netflix gets for signing an $80 million deal with them: a slow-motion train wreck. Yet, Bajaria continues pushing the idea that With Love, Meghan is bound for success, insisting that it captures “great takeaways” and “California vibes.” Sure, because nothing screams must-watch television like a blend of pastel aesthetics and avocado toast recipes.
At the core of all this is Netflix’s desperate attempt to justify its investment. Meghan’s much-hyped screen adaptation of Meet Me at the Lake is still in development, but given the pattern, that could mean it’s never actually going to happen. Still, what’s a few more empty promises?
For now, Netflix remains tied to the Sussexes, but the cracks are becoming impossible to ignore. They’re doing their best to spin this into something positive, at least for the sake of shareholders who need to believe the $100 million deal will eventually pay off. But if things keep heading in this direction, it’s only a matter of time before this partnership becomes just another costly mistake in Netflix’s history.
