Hollywood’s elite gathered at Los Angeles’ Egyptian Theatre last night for Netflix’s star-studded season launch. Ben Affleck and Tina Fey promoted their latest projects, while clips of upcoming documentaries featuring Victoria Beckham, Eddie Murphy, and Barack Obama lit up the screen. But Meghan Markle, one of Netflix’s most talked-about collaborators, was barely mentioned-despite her upcoming lifestyle show, With Love, Meghan, set to debut in March.
The Duchess of Sussex’s absence wasn’t the only sign of shifting tides. Comedian John Mulaney took a jab at Harry and Meghan’s Netflix deal during his set. “This is a really fun experiment,” he quipped.
“Not since Harry and Meghan has Netflix given more money to someone without a specific plan.” The audience responded with “snickering” and a few “whoas,” according to a source. One attendee noted, “It was shocking that Netflix would allow Meghan and Harry to be ridiculed at such a prestige event.”
Meghan’s lifestyle show delayed as Netflix keeps its distance
The joke seemed to underscore Netflix’s apparent cooling on the Sussexes, who signed a $100 million deal in 2020. While their docuseries Harry & Meghan was a hit, follow-ups like Live to Lead and Polohave been panned. Critics called Live to Lead “a torrent of motivational gloop,” and Polo was dubbed “unintentionally hilarious.” Even With Love, Meghan, Meghan’s lifestyle show, has been delayed. Netflix cited the LA wildfires, but insiders speculate the series is being re-edited.
The event also highlighted the couple’s complicated media image. A recent Vanity Fair profile painted Meghan in an unflattering light, alleging she’s been “really, really awful” to staff and even suggesting her team has discussed a potential “post-divorce” book deal. However, not everyone agrees. Jane Marie, a producer who worked with the couple, called Meghan “a lovely, genuine person,” while former employees have praised them as “caring” bosses.
As With Love, Meghan prepares for its release, the question remains: Can the Sussexes regain public favor? For now, Netflix-and Hollywood-seem to be keeping their distance. As one attendee put it, “It really felt like Netflix don’t give a d*mn.” Whether that’s true or not, Harry and Meghan’s Hollywood journey continues to face challenges.