Meghan Markle’s With Love, Meghan: Unraveling the Cancellation Rumors and the Duchess’s Next Chapter
Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has been a polarizing figure since stepping back from royal duties in 2020. Her latest venture, the Netflix lifestyle series With Love, Meghan, premiered on March 4, 2025, as part of a $100 million deal with the streaming giant. The eight-episode show, filmed at a Montecito farmhouse, showcased Meghan cooking, gardening, and hosting alongside A-list guests like Mindy Kaling, Abigail Spencer, and chefs Alice Waters and Roy Choi. Marketed as a blend of practical tips and candid conversations, the series aimed to revive the charm of Meghan’s pre-royal lifestyle blog, The Tig. However, recent headlines and social media posts have fueled speculation that Netflix has canceled the show, with some claiming Meghan was devastated by the decision. But is there truth to these claims, or are they another chapter in the ongoing saga of public scrutiny surrounding the Duchess? This article explores the origins of the cancellation rumors, the show’s reception, and what lies ahead for Meghan’s media empire.
The Genesis of With Love, Meghan
With Love, Meghan was a deeply personal project for the Duchess. Produced by Meghan and filmed at an $8 million Montecito farmhouse owned by philanthropists Tom and Sherrie Cipolla, the series deliberately avoided her $14.65 million home to protect her children, Archie and Lilibet, from the chaos of an 80-person crew. The show featured Meghan sharing recipes like single-skillet spaghetti and her grandmother Jeanette’s banana pudding, alongside hosting tips like “elevating” takeout with edible flowers. Guests praised Meghan’s warmth, with Mindy Kaling calling her “so kind” and Roy Choi noting her ability to “make magic out of ordinary things.” Netflix promoted the series as a celebration of “playfulness over perfection,” aligning with Meghan’s lifestyle brand, As Ever, which launched concurrently with products like raspberry jam and herbal teas.
The show’s March premiere generated significant buzz, with Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos defending Meghan’s cultural influence, noting that items like her Hermès blanket and shoes sold out globally after appearing onscreen. By April, Netflix confirmed a second season, already filmed and slated for a fall 2025 release, featuring guests like World Central Kitchen founder José Andrés. Advance ticket sales for related As Ever events reportedly reached $2 million, signaling strong initial interest. Yet, despite this momentum, the series faced a barrage of criticism that has fueled the cancellation narrative.
The Cancellation Rumors: Fact or Fabrication?
The claim that With Love, Meghan was canceled stems largely from social media, particularly posts on X. On May 12, 2025, user @CDenamzug shared a YouTube link titled “Meghan Markle GOES OFF After Netflix Cancels Her Cooking Show!?” followed by similar posts from @05keeponsmiling and @Abstractarts7. These posts, viewed thousands of times, cited no primary sources, relying instead on sensational YouTube videos. A March 9 post by @unreMARKLEble claimed the show “bombed” and suggested Netflix would not have renewed it without a pre-filmed second season, while a Hollywood Reporter review was referenced as critical, though no direct cancellation evidence was provided.
In contrast, industry reports paint a different picture. Netflix’s April 24 announcement of a second season, reported by Variety, confirms the show’s continuation, with filming already complete. Sarandos’s comments to The Independent on March 22 emphasized Meghan’s underestimated influence, and Page Six noted the show’s swift renewal just three days after its premiere. No credible outlet, including The New York Times, Daily Mail, or The Independent, has reported a cancellation as of May 19, 2025. The “Meghan loses it” narrative appears to be an exaggeration, with no verified evidence of her emotional breakdown. Instead, these claims align with a pattern of clickbait targeting Meghan’s high-profile projects.
Mixed Reception and Public Criticism
While With Love, Meghan has not been canceled, its reception has been polarizing. Critics and viewers alike have scrutinized Meghan’s culinary credentials, given her lack of formal training. A March 23 BuzzFeed article highlighted backlash over her single-skillet spaghetti recipe, which cooked pasta directly in a skillet with raw ingredients and 3½ cups of water, prompting X users to quip, “Netflix paid a lot of money just to let us know Meghan Markle doesn’t know how to cook pasta.” Good Housekeeping tested the recipe, noting its glossy texture but requiring adjustments, while The Independent reported Meghan’s own admission that “professionals” cook better than she does.
High-profile critics amplified the scrutiny. Celebrity chef Jameson Stocks, who once cooked for King Charles, called the show “terrible” and “painful to watch” in an April 4 Express interview, suggesting it felt “forced and fake” and lacked authenticity due to its rented filming location. Stocks claimed he received a legal warning from Netflix after his comments, though Netflix denied this to The Independent on May 5. Martha Stewart, in an April 25 USA Today interview, appeared dismissive, asking if the show had even started despite its March debut. Amy Schumer mocked Meghan’s insistence on being called “Meghan Sussex” in a March 24 Daily Mail report, joining other Netflix stars like Justine Bateman, who argued the show failed because Meghan was “playacting” at a role she hadn’t earned.
Public reaction was equally divided. Some viewers, like those cited in a March 31 Yahoo article, appreciated Meghan’s relatable approach, with chef Sandra Lee defending the show as unfairly criticized. Others, as seen in Daily Mail’s May 14 coverage, ridiculed her for “elevating” takeout like beans on toast with flowers, calling it out of touch. A Have I Got News for You segment on April 7, watched by nearly 3 million, mocked Meghan’s As Ever brand and her claim that lemon tart is a British Mother’s Day tradition. The show’s 6.2/10 IMDb rating reflects this split, with fans praising its aesthetic but detractors labeling it “cringe” and “self-indulgent.”
Contextual Factors: Why the Backlash?
Several factors contribute to the intense scrutiny of With Love, Meghan. First, Meghan’s public image remains divisive. Her transition from actress to royal to media mogul has invited skepticism, with critics like Stocks urging her to “go back to acting” (The Independent, May 5). Her As Ever brand, selling $12 teas and $14 cookie mixes, faced mockery for its high prices and limited stock, as noted in a May 2 Express report. Second, the show’s timing—launching amid a crowded lifestyle market dominated by figures like Martha Stewart and Gwyneth Paltrow—invited comparisons. Paltrow’s unpolished cooking videos, referenced in a March 24 Daily Mail article, were seen as a deliberate contrast to Meghan’s polished production.
Third, the Netflix deal itself is a lightning rod. The $100 million agreement, signed in 2020, has produced hits like Harry & Meghan but also flops like the canceled animated series Pearl, which faced plagiarism claims from author Mel Elliott (Fox News, April 23). Posts on X, like @MurkyMegPodcast’s August 2024 claim that Netflix delayed the show to 2025, reflect ongoing speculation about the deal’s value. Finally, Meghan’s personal disclosures, such as her May 14 HELLO! podcast admission that she relies on takeout due to time constraints, have been weaponized by detractors as evidence of inauthenticity, despite resonating with working parents.
The Bigger Picture: Clickbait and Polarization
The cancellation rumors exemplify a broader trend of sensationalism surrounding Meghan. YouTube videos and X posts thrive on outrage, amplifying unverified claims to drive engagement. The “Meghan loses it” narrative mirrors similar exaggerations about her As Ever launch or Snow White backlash, where emotional distress is assumed without evidence. This pattern is evident in the Daily Mail’s March 24 report of Schumer’s mockery, which framed Meghan as overly sensitive about her surname, despite the exchange appearing lighthearted onscreen. The lack of primary sources for the cancellation claim, coupled with Netflix’s confirmed renewal, suggests a disconnect between social media narratives and reality.
Meghan’s defenders, including Sarandos and Lee, argue she is unfairly targeted. A New York Times April 2 profile described her as a “triumphant domestic goddess,” noting her hands-on approach in Montecito, where she gardens with Harry and cooks with her mother, Doria Ragland. Fans on X, though less vocal, have praised the show’s aesthetic and Meghan’s warmth, with one user calling it “a breath of fresh air” in a crowded genre. The polarized response reflects not just the show’s quality but Meghan’s role as a cultural lightning rod, where every move is dissected.
What’s Next for Meghan and Netflix?
Despite the rumors, With Love, Meghan is poised for a second season, with José Andrés’s guest appearance and a fall release generating anticipation. The show’s renewal, reported by Variety on April 24, indicates Netflix’s confidence, though its long-term success hinges on addressing criticisms. Stocks’s suggestion in Express for more “bloopers or mistakes” to show Meghan’s human side could resonate with viewers seeking authenticity. The As Ever brand, despite mockery, has driven sales, with $2 million in event tickets and sold-out products signaling a loyal audience.
Meghan’s broader Netflix slate includes untapped potential. The $100 million deal, covering Polo and Heart of Invictus, remains active, and her production role on With Love, Meghan showcases her creative control. Offscreen, her philanthropy—seen in her and Harry’s wildfire relief efforts with Andrés—bolsters her public image. Upcoming projects, like a potential Confessions of a Female Founder podcast expansion, suggest she’s diversifying her portfolio beyond lifestyle content.
Conclusion
The narrative of Meghan Markle “losing it” over a canceled With Love, Meghan is a product of social media exaggeration, not reality. Netflix’s commitment to a second season, Meghan’s hands-on production, and the show’s cultural impact—evidenced by sold-out products—counter the “flop” narrative. Yet, the mixed reception and relentless scrutiny highlight the challenges of her post-royal rebrand. As a mother, producer, and entrepreneur, Meghan navigates a polarized landscape where every step invites debate. Whether With Love, Meghan becomes a lasting hit or a footnote, it underscores her resilience in the face of unrelenting headlines. As the second season looms, the Duchess remains a figure to watch, cooking up her next move with determination and grace.
