Second Season of Meghan Markle’s Netflix Show Fails to Impress

The second season of “With Love, Meghan” debuted on Netflix but quickly lost popularity, failing to reach the streamer’s Top 10 rankings for the week of August 25-31, according to reports. Notably, the eight-episode installment had to have been watched by fewer viewers than the first season—at least 500,000 fewer in its initial week, as estimated by Forbes.

Season 1 drew about 2.6 million viewers upon its release in March 2024, but the latest episodes didn’t sustain that momentum. Critics in the UK were especially harsh; The Guardian criticized the series as “boring” and “contrived,” with one reviewer remarking it became “almost fascinating” in its attempt to be whimsical.

Additional reviews labeled the show as tone-deaf. Anita Singh from The Telegraph called an episode about Malibu cocktails “tone-deaf,” noting it was dedicated to wildfire victims and first responders. Despite the negativity, Markle brushed off the critics, emphasizing the show was well-loved by her audience and her production team. She stated, “My partners loved the show. That’s why there’s a second season, and more fun is on the way.”

Unlike her first season, which made a splash with viewers, the response to the new episodes has been lukewarm at best. Critics like Lucy Mangan from The Guardian called Meghan “needy” and the series “so irrelevant it becomes almost fascinating,” while others pointed out its disconnect with audiences as a sign of tone-deafness, especially with episodes referencing wildfire relief efforts that seemed misaligned with the show’s tone.

Markle responded to the criticism in an interview, asserting her confidence that her audience enjoyed the show and that her partners supported it, which led to plans for future seasons. Despite mixed reviews and declining viewership, the series remains part of Markle’s broader deal with Netflix, reportedly extended for a smaller amount than initially agreed, aiming to protect her and Harry’s reputations.