Critics have not been kind to Meghan Markle’s latest attempt to make a TV show/lifestyle brand out of herself, Netflix reality series With Love, Meghan. The show, which debuted its 8 episodes on March 4, has actually managed to be the worst-reviewed new project from a Suits alum to show up in a week that also featured the much-maligned arrival of Suits L.A., which really feels like its saying something: Critics have hit the show hard for its generally manufactured vibes, promising to give viewers a window into Markle’s life while keeping said window pointed firmly at a very managed view.
None of which, apparently, has bothered Netflix. The streamer announced today that it’s already renewed the series for a second season, possibly on the grounds that, hell, they already shot the thing. (Filming on the second season had already wrapped, per THR, possibly as a factor of the show’s debut being delayed out of a desire to not say “Look at this pretty house” in the midst of the California wildfires.) The series sees Markle, hanging out in a house that is, apparently not her actual house, inviting over a mix of famous people and friends and giving low-key tips on entertaining. If you’re already a fan of Markle’s, it’s probably a decent enough way to kill some time, but it also seems to fall into the pitfall that’s claimed a lot of the content that Markle and husband Prince Harry have made since moving to Los Angeles: While perfectly charming, neither of them is necessarily fascinating enough to helm a TV show once you’ve edited out the literal most interesting thing about them, i.e., all the royal connections and drama that they clearly don’t want to talk about or be a part of.
Anyway: With Love, Meghan will apparently be back for that second season as recently as later this year. Netflix has gone in pretty hard on the couple’s brand: Besides having previously made their earlier reality show Harry & Meghan, the company has also partnered with Markle on a new lifestyle brand, As Ever, which debuted alongside the new show.
