Streaming Giant Reportedly ‘Terrified’ as Duchess Returns for New Seasons of Lifestyle Show
Meghan Markle is set to renew her multimillion-dollar Netflix deal, but insiders suggest the streaming platform is treading carefully after underwhelming results from previous projects tied to the Duchess and Prince Harry.
The couple’s original five-year contract, signed in 2020 following their royal exit, reportedly included a $15 million upfront payment, with the rest of the funds allocated for content creation. While the docuseries Harry & Meghan proved to be a ratings success, other ventures like Heart of Invictus and Live to Lead failed to capture the same audience enthusiasm.
With With Love, Meghan confirmed for a second and third season, reports suggest Netflix is making "major changes" to the renewed agreement—moves described as calculated efforts to prevent repeating past missteps.
Speaking on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive, journalist Esther Krakue called the Sussex deal a costly gamble. “I don't think they’ve got any value for money with this couple,” she said. “It was obviously a business risk taking them on.”
Krakue also criticised the lack of personal depth in Meghan’s content, noting the Duchess now seems hesitant to share meaningful or revealing details—especially given tensions with the Royal Family. “She’s terrified to open up,” Krakue claimed. “You expect something juicy or compelling, but what we get feels too controlled and disconnected.”
According to Krakue, the disparity between how Meghan sees herself and how she is perceived by audiences may explain Netflix’s cautious approach. While the renewed deal may extend the couple’s Hollywood run, doubts persist about whether their content can truly deliver the impact the platform needs.
