The Real Reason Meghan’s Show Was Canceled After Reports Netflix Employees Called the Series a ‘Nightmare’
When Meghan Markle and Prince Harry left the British royal family and moved to the US, one of the ways they generated their own income was a significant deal with Netflix. Recently, the deal expired and was renewed, although the conditions of the deal changed—now transitioning to a “first-look” type of agreement. And though this mostly reflects the change in strategy for the streamer, one of the things people wondered was what it would mean for Markle’s lifestyle show, With Love, Meghan.
Now, we have confirmation. The show won’t be returning to Netflix, according to Page Six. “It’s not returning as a series. There have been conversations about holiday specials, but there’s nothing in the works yet,” one insider said. Markle is reportedly interested on building her lifestyle brand, As Ever.
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“People will see similar cooking and crafting on Meghan’s socials for the brand, but more bite-sized,” another source said.
The show ran for two seasons and a holiday special. The streamer still has a partnership with Markle for her As Ever lifestyle brand, which tied into the series. Markle and Prince Harry also have a first-look deal with the streamer active right now.
With Love, Meghan, featured chefs including José Andrés, Roy Choi and Alice Waters, as well as some of Markle’s friends, including Suits co-star Abigail Spencer and make-up artist Daniel Martin. Chrissy Teigen and Tan France also appeared, as did Markle’s mom, Doria Ragland, and Prince Harry.
Netflix did not report viewership data for the latest season of With Love, Meghan, as the show failed to crack the Top 10, but the first season was watched 2.6 million hours in its first week.
Markle addressed the launch of her As Ever brand and her Netflix deal last year during Fortune‘s Most Powerful Women Summit in Washington on October 14. “My husband and I were in an overall deal with Netflix then, not dissimilar to Higher Ground and the Obamas’ deal, once that had come to its term, the extension of it — which was such an incredible sign of the strength of our partnership — was now being in a first-look deal,” Markle told attendees.
“Which is also exciting because it gives us flexibility to go to our partners first, then at the same time, shop content that might not be the right fit for Netflix but has a home somewhere else,” she added.
All of this comes after Netflix staffers referred to the lifestyle brand, As Ever, as a “logistical nightmare,” according to the Daily Mail.
“There is so much drama surrounding them once again that internally the team are over it before it’s even launched,” a source told the Daily Mail. “It’s been a logistical nightmare and the buying team are having an issue as they can’t work out what the demand will be, if any.”
Markle herself has said she originally envisioned something different. “Frankly, I was building out a very different business plan at the outset,” Markle told Inc. “The reach from Netflix, coupled with my vision for the brand, felt like it was going to be a really perfect match.”
Netflix agrees. Josh Simon, the vice president of consumer products for the streamer, told the outlet that he was pleased with the collaboration. “Meghan’s passion for elevating everyday moments in beautiful yet simple ways, and seeing how that comes to life in the show, inspired us to help bring her vision to life through a curated assortment of products,” he said. “We’re happy to partner with her.”
