Meghan Markle’s Netflix Series: A Underwhelming Experience
Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has officially dipped her toes into the world of lifestyle entertainment with her new Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Unfortunately, the show has been met with widespread criticism for its lack of excitement, depth, and genuine charisma. The series, which follows Markle as she engages in various domestic activities like cooking, gardening, and crafting, feels as uninspired as an outdated Pinterest board. Each episode is set in a rented mansion in Montecito, California, where Markle is joined by a different friend to explore topics like making candles, focaccia, and lavender towels. The result is a snooze-fest that leaves viewers checking their watches, wondering when the monotony will end.
A Lack of Personality and Charisma
One of the most glaring issues with With Love, Meghan is its inability to showcase any real personality or charm. Markle’s delivery is flat and monotonous, reminiscent of an embroidered tea towel reading at a home goods store. Phrases like “Love is in the details,” “Treat yourself,” and “Good vibes for good hives” are repeated ad nauseam, feeling more like forced marketing slogans than genuine expressions. Her obsession with the word “joy” is particularly cringeworthy, as it’s used so frequently that it loses all meaning. The show also tries to sell Markle as some sort of domestic goddess, but her attempts at humor and relatability fall flat. For instance, her awkward quip about her “bacon bringing all the boys to the yard” feels more like a failed audition for a comedy role than a genuine moment of levity.
A Vanity Project with Little Substance
While With Love, Meghan is ostensibly a lifestyle show, it often feels like a vehicle for Markle to promote her new lifestyle brand, Archewell, and remind viewers of her royal title. At the end of each episode, the screen flashes “Executive Producer, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex,” a constant reminder of her status. The show’s content is shallow, offering no real depth or personal insight. Markle’s guests, such as Argentinian socialite Delfina Blaquier, are treated more like props than participants in meaningful conversations. When Markle shares trivial bits about herself, like her childhood as a Girl Scout or her internship in Argentina, it feels like an attempt to construct a persona rather than share authentic stories. The show’s most memorable moment comes when Markle and Blaquier have a dance party on a hiking trail, but even that feels forced and inauthentic.
Guests Who Feel Like Accessories
The show’s guest stars, such as Mindy Kaling and chef Roy Choi, are underutilized and often relegated to secondary roles. Kaling, known for her humor and cooking videos, is reduced to fawning over Markle in a way that feels more like a PR stunt than genuine admiration. When Kaling expresses surprise that Markle wears affordable Zara trousers, it’s met with a dismissive correction from the duchess, who reminds everyone that she is now “Meghan Sussex.” Even when Kaling tries to highlight Markle’s relatable side, like her love for fast food, the moment feels manufactured. The only episode that offers any real value is when Roy Choi teaches Markle how to cook Korean fried chicken, but even that is overshadowed by the show’s overall lack of substance.
A Show That Feels Artificial and Overly Precious
With Love, Meghan is a show that tries to sell an aspirational lifestyle but ends up feeling artificial and overly precious. Markle’s attempts to come across as relatable and down-to-earth are undermined by the show’s meticulously curated setting and her constant reminders of her royal status. The show’s visuals and tone are so over-the-top that even Markle’s makeup artist, Daniel Martin, feels compelled to say, “I feel like this is all fake,” while gazing at the mountains. It’s a rare moment of honesty in a series that otherwise feels like a carefully constructed illusion.
A Missed Opportunity for Depth and Connection
The most disappointing aspect of With Love, Meghan is its lack of depth and genuine connection. The show could have been an opportunity for Markle to share meaningful stories, family recipes, or personal insights, but instead, it feels like a shallow attempt tobrand herself as a lifestyle influencer. The show’s relentless focus on “joy” and its failure to deliver anything of substance leave viewers feeling underwhelmed. While Markle may genuinely love hosting and cooking, her inability to connect with audiences in a meaningful way makes the show feel like a vanity project with little to offer. In the end, With Love, Meghan is less a celebration of life’s simple joys and more a cringeworthy display of privilege and artificial charm.
