BREAKING: Netflix Reportedly Demands $10 Million Back from Meghan Markle After Her New Show ‘With Love Meghan’ Is Deemed a Major Failure

Netflix Seeks $10 Million Refund from Meghan Markle After ‘With Love, Meghan’ Disappoints

In a surprising turn of events, Netflix is reportedly demanding a $10 million refund from Meghan Markle following the underwhelming performance of her latest venture, With Love, Meghan. The lifestyle series, which premiered on March 4, 2025, was intended to showcase the Duchess of Sussex’s skills in cooking, hosting, and crafting, offering viewers an intimate glimpse into her life in Montecito. However, the show has been widely panned by critics and audiences alike, leading to speculation about the future of Meghan and Prince Harry’s lucrative $100 million deal with the streaming giant.

A High-Stakes Venture Falls Flat

With Love, Meghan was billed as a personal and joyful exploration of Meghan’s passions, featuring celebrity guests like Mindy Kaling, Abigail Spencer, and renowned chefs Roy Choi and Alice Waters. The eight-episode series aimed to capitalize on Meghan’s pre-royal reputation as a lifestyle influencer, drawing comparisons to figures like Martha Stewart. Yet, despite the high production value and star-studded lineup, the show failed to resonate with viewers, quickly dropping out of Netflix’s Top 10 rankings after a brief debut at #6.

Critics have been merciless. British outlets, long critical of the Sussexes, labeled the series “pretentious” and “banal,” while even U.S. reviews from typically supportive publications like Variety and The New York Times called it an “ego trip” and a “monument to nothing.” Social media sentiment echoed this disdain, with viewers mocking everything from Meghan’s hosting style to a controversial scene involving uncovered raw chicken in a refrigerator, sparking accusations of unsanitary practices. The backlash has been so intense that even Meghan’s estranged father, Thomas Markle, reportedly joined the chorus of detractors.

Netflix’s $10 Million Demand

Sources close to Netflix suggest the company is rethinking its investment in the Sussexes. The With Love, Meghan project, part of the couple’s broader $100 million multi-year deal signed in 2020, was seen as a critical test of Meghan’s star power outside the royal narrative that fueled their 2022 hit docuseries, Harry & Meghan. While that earlier series racked up 81.5 million hours of viewing in its first week, With Love, Meghan managed just 12.6 million hours globally, averaging a modest 2.6 million views—far below expectations for a production reportedly costing upwards of $4.6 million per episode.

Insiders claim Netflix is now seeking to recoup $10 million from Meghan, arguing that the show’s failure to deliver commercially or critically justifies clawing back a portion of the funds. “It’s not a runaway success,” one source told The Daily Mail, emphasizing that while the controversy generated some buzz, it wasn’t the kind Netflix had hoped for. The decision to greenlight a second season, already filmed back-to-back with the first, has done little to quell concerns, with some suggesting it’s merely a cost-saving measure rather than a vote of confidence.

A Pattern of Mixed Results

The Sussexes’ track record with Netflix has been uneven. Their debut docuseries, Harry & Meghan, was a global sensation, but subsequent projects like Heart of Invictus and Polo failed to replicate that success, earning lukewarm reviews and modest viewership. Meghan’s solo endeavor was meant to pivot away from royal drama and establish her as a standalone media mogul, tied to her rebranded lifestyle venture, As Ever. However, the show’s flop has cast doubt on her ability to carry a project without the royal intrigue that initially drew audiences.

Adding to the pressure, Meghan’s As Ever brand—intended to sell jams, teas, and home goods—has faced delays due to trademark disputes and accusations of unoriginality. While a report from WWD noted the series generated $10 million in media exposure for the brand, it’s unclear if this will translate to sales, especially given the negative reception.

What’s Next for Meghan and Netflix?

Netflix’s reported demand for a refund signals a potential rift in its relationship with the Sussexes, whose contract is set to expire in 2025. CEO Ted Sarandos recently defended Meghan, telling Variety that she and Harry are “overly dismissed” and that “people are fascinated” with her. Yet, the numbers tell a different story, and with the company facing scrutiny over its spending, the Sussexes may need a hit to justify their hefty deal.

For Meghan, With Love, Meghan was a chance to reclaim her narrative and prove her worth as a producer and influencer. Instead, it’s become a lightning rod for criticism, leaving her Hollywood ambitions on shaky ground. Whether Netflix will renew the Sussexes’ contract—or if Meghan can rebound with Season 2—remains uncertain. For now, the $10 million refund demand underscores a harsh reality: even a duchess’s charm can’t guarantee a streaming success.