Meghan Markle’s highly anticipated cookery show for Netflix “may not see the light of day” after her and Prince Harry’s latest show about polo failed to gain interest, an insider has reportedly claimed.
Back in April, it was announced that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would be working on two new projects for the streaming giant – one about polo, which was released earlier this month and one which would “celebrate the joys of cooking, gardening, entertaining, and friendship”.
Meghan would curate the second series, which was said to coincide with the launch of her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, while the couple both serve as executive producers for POLO.
The cookery show reportedly wrapped up filming earlier in the summer. However, little detail has been shared about its title or possible release date.
Harry and Meghan saw their fourth output with Netflix get released last Tuesday. Polo follows elite global players on and off the field, with the “sexy” sport billed in the trailer as showcasing “dirty, sweaty boys…riding”.
The show has generally received negative reviews, with the Guardian branding it “clattering and niche” and Decider urging readers to skip it as it’s “mostly boring”.
According to the Mail, a Netflix insider said that, after Polo’s failure to gain interest, Meghan’s cooking show “may not see the light of day”, while others suggested that it might get released but will be a “make or break” for the Sussexes, whose future with the streaming giant is still in doubt.
The source claimed details of Meghan’s project are only being shared with a “tiny audience of executives in the US”.
They told the outlet: “There won’t be another deal. There may be one-offs, but that’s it.”
Another Californian source said: “It’s make or break. People say Netflix are exhausted.”
An executive added: “Her show will have to be an enormous hit to turn around their deal and their reputations in this town.”
Meanwhile, sources suggested that the launch of Meghan’s show will likely take place in the first quarter of 2025 between late February and March, as Prince Harry’s Invictus Games take place in Whistler, Canada, in early February and it’s not part of the streaming platform’s schedules in January.
Harry and Meghan’s £80million ($100million) contract will end next autumn, and according to the outlet, some Hollywood executives predict that any new deal with Netflix will not be on the same scale due to the lack of content the couple have actually produced.
The Sussexes have so far released four shows for Netflix. Polo, which was released last month; Heart of Invictus, which was released last year; Live to Lead; and their controversial documentary Harry & Meghan, both released in 2022.
