Meghan Markle’s New Netflix Venture: A Gamble for Success

Meghan Markle has reportedly wrapped filming her new Netflix show, which aims to celebrate the joys of cooking, gardening, entertaining, and friendship. This project comes on the heels of Prince Harry’s Netflix documentary, “The Heart of Invictus,” which failed to make a significant impact, missing the top 10 in the streaming charts. The question on many minds is whether this new venture will be successful.

Joining us to discuss this is Royal commentator Kinsey Schofield. She notes that the show focuses on cooking and entertaining, highlighting Meghan’s passion for these activities, a passion previously seen in her cookbook projects during her time in the royal family and her lifestyle blog, The Tig. Schofield points out that Meghan and Harry’s $100 million Netflix contract has so far seen limited commercial success, making this project crucial for their future with the streaming giant.

There’s an interesting juxtaposition between Meghan’s current project and past speculations about her potentially running for president. Schofield humorously remarks on this contrast, suggesting that a cooking and friendship series feels somewhat anticlimactic compared to the lofty political aspirations once attributed to Meghan.

Moreover, Harry has his own projects in the pipeline, including a reality show based on his polo experiences and a scripted movie titled “Meet Me at the Lake.” However, it’s Meghan’s new show that is attracting significant attention. Schofield underscores the importance of this project, given the couple’s need to prove their commercial viability to Netflix.

Despite her talents and beauty, Schofield suggests Meghan’s past reputation, particularly allegations of bullying during her time at Kensington Palace and high turnover rates at Archewell Productions, might have tarnished her appeal. This, combined with perceived challenges in how she treats people, could be affecting public perception and diminishing her potential as a media powerhouse.

Looking ahead, Schofield discusses Meghan’s apparent shift towards a lifestyle brand rather than returning to acting or entering politics. This new show aligns with her previous ventures, such as her partnership with Netflix for the American Riviera Orchard launch. This partnership aims to promote products that viewers can purchase, potentially integrating her show with tangible, marketable goods.

Interestingly, despite the opportunity to return to acting with a new reboot of “Suits,” Meghan has chosen to focus on lifestyle branding. Schofield suggests that this direction indicates a strategic move towards becoming an influencer, utilizing platforms like her upcoming podcast to promote various products.

In conclusion, Meghan Markle’s new Netflix show represents a significant gamble for her and Prince Harry. Success could solidify their standing with Netflix and bolster their commercial appeal. However, the pressures are high, and only time will tell if this new venture will resonate with audiences and critics alike.