Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s foray into the world of content creation has not gone as smoothly as they anticipated. When the Duke and Duchess of Sussex signed their lucrative deal with Netflix, expectations were high. However, despite their previous achievements and celebrity status, their initial projects with the streaming giant have failed to captivate audiences and generate significant buzz. A recent report reveals that the couple is feeling the pressure from Netflix after their first two projects went largely unnoticed by viewers.
Initial Hopes and Early Setbacks
In 2020, the Sussexes secured a multi-million dollar deal with Netflix, a venture that promised to bring unique and engaging content to audiences worldwide. The couple was expected to leverage their fame and experience to create documentaries, series, and films that would resonate with viewers. However, their first two offerings failed to meet expectations, sparking criticism and disappointment.
Their debut project, Harry & Meghan (2022), was initially deemed a success, breaking Netflix’s record for the highest viewing hours for a documentary during its premiere week. Despite this early achievement, the shine quickly wore off as subsequent projects, such as the documentary Polo, garnered little attention and were met with negative reviews.
The Polo Documentary: A Missed Opportunity
Harry and Meghan’s latest documentary, Polo, is being described as a misfire by royal experts and entertainment commentators. While the couple’s deep involvement in philanthropy and various passions is widely known, this particular project—focused on the niche sport of polo—has been dismissed as too limited in appeal for a mainstream audience.
InTouch Weekly cites an insider who claims that Netflix’s investment in the Sussexes’ content has yet to yield any substantial returns. According to the report, “The fact is, Harry and Meghan were paid an exorbitant amount of money by Netflix and have little to show for it.” The source also expressed that the couple has struggled to match the lofty expectations set by their deal with the streaming giant.
The documentary, which was initially touted as Harry’s “pet project,” has now been labeled boring and unremarkable by critics. Royal experts suggest that the limited appeal of polo and its exclusive nature likely failed to attract a broader audience. “This was Harry’s passion, and he’s disappointed that others failed to see its significance,” said one insider.
As the report underscores, this lack of enthusiasm around the Polo documentary reflects mounting concerns for the couple. Netflix was hoping for big wins, but with underwhelming viewership and minimal public reaction, the pressure to deliver compelling content has only intensified.
Meghan Markle’s New Cooking Show: A New Hope?
Amidst this downturn in viewership, Meghan Markle is set to take another step into the world of content creation with a new show coming to Netflix. “With Love, Meghan”, an eight-episode series centered around cooking, gardening, and lifestyle, will debut on January 15. This announcement came alongside the release of a teaser trailer and an excited Instagram post by the Duchess of Sussex, who shared, “I have been so excited to share this with you! I hope you love the show as much as I loved making it.”
The show promises to showcase Meghan’s passions, including cooking, crafting, flower arranging, and hosting gatherings. One of the key highlights will be her conversations with guests, such as acclaimed chef Alice Waters, actress Mindy Kaling, and close friend Abigail Spencer, a former co-star from the hit show Suits. The trailer suggests that the series will offer a behind-the-scenes look at Meghan’s life while offering viewers practical tips on home-related topics.
Despite the trailer’s charm and Meghan’s palpable excitement, the new series faces the challenge of generating much-needed engagement. Viewers will no doubt be closely watching how With Love, Meghan performs on Netflix, hoping that this show will finally reverse the trend of less-than-successful projects tied to the Sussexes’ names.
The Pressure on the Sussexes: Will They Deliver?
As Harry and Meghan face mounting pressure from Netflix to produce content that resonates with audiences, the couple’s content creation journey has increasingly been viewed as a tightrope walk. With such high expectations set for them, one misstep could result in disappointment both for the couple and for Netflix, who invested heavily in their creative endeavors. The royal duo is now operating under intense scrutiny, with rumors circulating about the future of their contract.
A source told InTouch Weekly, “The pressure is on for the Sussexes to deliver a hit”, further underlining the urgency surrounding their content creation efforts. The success or failure of With Love, Meghan could prove pivotal in determining the couple’s future in the entertainment industry. Will their new cooking show break the pattern of past disappointments, or will it join their other projects in underwhelming audiences?
Meghan Markle’s Personal Struggles Amid Public Scrutiny
Meghan Markle’s latest project also comes at a time when she has been dealing with considerable public scrutiny. Earlier this year, the Duchess faced widespread criticism after disabling the comments section of her Instagram account to manage ongoing controversies regarding her choices and comments in the public sphere.
Reports about the difficulties Harry and Meghan face on their content creation journey emphasize that despite their best efforts, attracting widespread attention and approval has proven more difficult than anticipated. Critics argue that the Sussexes must reevaluate their strategy and find new ways to connect with audiences, as their high-profile status alone may no longer be enough to sustain their media relevance.
Conclusion: Can Harry and Meghan Turn Things Around?
Harry and Meghan’s venture into the world of entertainment has been a mixed bag, with moments of success overshadowed by periods of underperformance. While their first documentary on Netflix enjoyed record-breaking views, later projects like Polo have struggled to garner the enthusiasm they anticipated. With Meghan’s new cooking show scheduled for release, all eyes are now on the couple to see if they can finally deliver content that captures the audience’s attention and proves their worth as creators in the entertainment industry.
It remains to be seen whether the couple will finally hit the mark, but one thing is clear: the pressure is mounting for them to produce the kind of content that will resonate widely. Will With Love, Meghan be the breakthrough they need, or will they continue to grapple with expectations that they’re finding increasingly difficult to meet?
