Meghan Markle’s upcoming cooking show is being seen as crucial to both her personal reputation and the Sussexes’ $100 million deal with Netflix, especially after the underwhelming reception of their Polo series. The five-part docuseries, which was part of their exclusive content deal with the streaming giant, failed to make a significant impact, leading to pressure on Meghan to deliver with her new project. Some industry insiders have described this cooking show as a “make or break” moment for the couple, with Netflix reportedly not happy about the reviews for Polo, which were widely critical, calling it “tacky” and “tedious.”
Meghan’s upcoming show, which has yet to be named, is expected to focus on themes from her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard. The show is said to explore the joys of cooking, gardening, entertaining, and friendship, and will be produced by Sony Pictures Television. Details about the show remain sparse, but it’s expected to be filmed at a mansion near Meghan and Harry’s Montecito home, with veteran director Michael Steed, who worked with chef Anthony Bourdain, at the helm.
Although there’s no confirmed release date, some speculate the show could premiere in late February or March 2025, possibly coinciding with the launch of Meghan’s lifestyle brand. With Netflix having high expectations following the mixed reception of previous projects, including Live to Lead and Heart of Invictus, Meghan’s cooking show has become a critical point in determining the success of their Netflix contract.
Given the pressure, this cooking show will need to be a significant hit to restore their standing with Netflix and secure the future of their lucrative deal.