Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s ongoing partnership with Netflix has been marked by both success and setbacks, with their latest projects highlighting the growing divide between their individual pursuits.
After the success of their docuseries Harry & Meghan in 2022, the couple has faced a more challenging reception with their subsequent ventures. In December 2024, POLO, a sports docuseries that both Harry and Meghan are involved in as executive producers, was released. While it was expected to build on their previous success, the series failed to captivate audiences and quickly disappeared from Netflix’s top charts. The show, which centers on the sport of polo, was heavily criticized, with many reviewers describing it as more akin to reality TV than a well-produced documentary. Fans of the couple were also disappointed by their limited on-screen presence, which only added to the series’ lackluster performance.
Despite insider reports suggesting that the series’ poor reception wasn’t entirely Harry and Meghan’s fault, with Netflix executives pushing for a more mainstream reality TV approach, the failure has still been a blow to their aspirations of being taken seriously as producers. The couple had hoped POLO would help them establish themselves in the industry, but the backlash has led to frustrations, particularly as critics have branded them “sellouts” and unfairly tied their names to the series’ shortcomings.
In contrast, Meghan’s upcoming cooking show, expected to air in 2025, has the potential to boost their Netflix deal, though it remains to be seen if it will garner the same level of interest. Given the Sussexes’ current reputation and the mixed reception of their earlier projects, it’s unclear whether Meghan’s culinary venture will succeed in restoring their standing as respected figures in the entertainment industry.
As the Sussexes continue to develop separate projects, their quest for recognition as serious producers faces increasing challenges, with POLO serving as a reminder that not every project will resonate with audiences, especially when the couple’s controversial public image is inextricably linked to their work.