The Sussexes had their Netflix polo show taken 'out of their control' by bosses, insider claims - as couple face withering reviews and even pro-Sussex magazine admits the Duchess' projects 'keep flopping'

Reports suggest that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's latest Netflix series, Polo, faced significant production challenges, with insiders claiming the show was largely "out of their control." Despite being listed as executive producers, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex reportedly had minimal influence over the final product, which has received overwhelmingly negative reviews.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry arrive at the Grand Champions Polo in Wellington in April this year

Critics gave the series two stars or less, questioning both its content and execution. Harry, 40, and Meghan, 43, appear only briefly throughout the five-episode series, a notable departure from their usual on-screen presence. According to a source in Closer magazine, Netflix executives pushed for a more reality TV-oriented approach to appeal to broader audiences, which may have conflicted with the couple’s vision.

The backlash adds to speculation that Netflix may be growing "exhausted" with the Sussexes, particularly following other underwhelming projects in their £80 million deal.

The couple received scathing reviews for their latest TV endeavour Polo, the newest installment of their £80million deal with the streaming service 

The claims surrounding Harry and Meghan’s Polo docuseries highlight a growing disconnect between their vision and the realities of content production at Netflix. According to insiders, the streaming giant allegedly pushed a reality TV slant to appeal to mainstream audiences, sidelining the couple’s input. The irony, as the source noted, lies in Harry and Meghan producing the very type of content they have often distanced themselves from.

Adding to the couple’s woes, The Cut, a magazine once favorable to Meghan, appears to have shifted its stance. Known for a 2022 cover interview in which Meghan made polarizing comments about the royal family, The Cut recently published a critical article titled “Harry and Meghan’s Projects Can’t Stop Flopping”. This shift mirrors a broader trend of diminishing patience among U.S. media outlets and audiences, suggesting waning support for the Sussexes’ ventures amid ongoing underperformance.

Meghan's 2022 cover interview with the magazine sparked backlash with its claims against the royal family


The backlash surrounding Polo underscores the challenges Harry and Meghan face as content creators, particularly when expectations clash with public reception and streaming platform demands.

The release of Polo, the latest installment from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Netflix deal, continues to fuel criticism as it struggles to meet expectations. Despite Harry’s promise that the series would capture the “true depth and spirit of the sport” and its “high-stakes moments”, the reality fell short, with the couple appearing only briefly in the five-episode series.

Critics have taken aim at the production’s format, which reportedly shifted toward a reality TV-style presentation to appeal to mainstream audiences, a direction allegedly driven by Netflix executives and outside the couple's control. The resulting backlash has been compounded by a notable shift in media attitudes. The Cut, once one of Meghan’s staunchest supporters, recently published a scathing piece titled “Harry and Meghan’s Projects Can’t Stop Flopping”, signaling waning support from even traditionally sympathetic outlets.

This marks a stark contrast to the glowing coverage Meghan received during her 2022 interview with the publication, where she shared controversial comments about the royal family. The apparent cooling of U.S. media sentiment reflects increasing fatigue surrounding the couple’s ventures, particularly as their content fails to deliver on its ambitious promises.

The underwhelming reception of Polo, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s latest Netflix venture, raises concerns about the longevity of their £80 million deal with the streaming giant. The five-part docuseries, which focuses on polo players like Adolfo and Poroto Cambiaso, Timmy Dutta, and Nacho Figueras, has failed to impress critics, receiving scathing reviews across the board.

The reviews are in for Harry and Meghan's latest Netflix endeavour Polo (pictured), the latest installment of their £80million deal with the streaming service


Industry expert Ede warned that the success of Polo will hinge on whether it breaks into Netflix’s Top 10, a key metric driven by viewer algorithms. While the Sussexes’ projects have often attracted initial interest due to public fascination, the show faces stiff competition from high-profile releases like Black Dove and seasonal crowd-pleasers such as Lindsay Lohan’s Christmas films.

Ede suggested this latest stumble could prove critical, stating, “This could potentially be a nail in the coffin for their deal with the streaming giant.” Netflix’s reliance on performance data to tailor content for subscribers leaves little room for underperforming projects, and repeated disappointments may test the platform’s patience with Harry and Meghan’s content ambitions.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Meghan 'has been upset and overwhelmed by her depiction on South Park for days'

Image
The recent episode of South Park that depicted Meghan as a "sorority girl, actress, influencer, victim" has reportedly upset and overwhelmed the Duchess. The irreverent US cartoon is known for its satire and commentary on current events and popular culture. While some may find the depiction of Meghan humorous, others may find it insensitive and disrespectful. It is understandable that Meghan may be affected by the portrayal, especially considering the intense scrutiny she has faced in the media since becoming a member of the royal family. The Duchess of Sussex is reportedly upset and overwhelmed by her portrayal in a recent episode of the animated series South Park. The episode titled 'The Worldwide Privacy Tour' poked fun at the couple's demands for privacy during their publicity blitz for Prince Harry's memoir, which was also ridiculed in the episode. The Duchess is said to be annoyed by the portrayal but refuses to watch the entire episode. Harry and Meghan...
Read more

An apology? Is Harry really so emotionally stunted he feels that, having dumped all his revilement on his family, he is the victim?

Image
Regarding the relationship between Prince Harry and his father, it is worth noting that Prince Harry has spoken publicly about feeling unsupported and neglected by his family in the aftermath of his mother's death. Additionally, Prince Harry has been open about his struggles with mental health and the impact that this has had on his relationship with his family. While it is true that Prince Charles has maintained a dignified silence throughout these controversies, it is important to remember that the Royal Family has a long-standing tradition of refraining from publicly commenting on private matters. It is also worth noting that Prince Charles has been actively involved in a variety of charitable and philanthropic efforts, which may indicate that he is focused on other important issues in his life. Prince Charles has maintained a dignified silence throughout these controversies, it is important to remember that the Royal Family has a long-standing tradition of refraining from publi...
Read more

Meghan Markle 'prepares for relaunch in UK': Duchess 'has reached out to British PR gurus' for help as she battles a 'popularity problem' in Britain

Image
Meghan Markle is seeking a UK-based PR expert to assist in bolstering her and Prince Harry's public image, particularly in Britain, where they hope to gain more positive publicity for themselves and for Archewell, their foundation based in California. Prince Harry and Meghan are pictured on their trip to Vancouver last month ahead of next year's Invictus Games. MailOnline understands they are looking for a UK PR expert to help them The potential return of Meghan's lifestyle blog, The Tig, has fueled speculation, especially following the success of Gwyneth Paltrow's GOOP brand. This move could further enhance Meghan's presence and influence, but it also underscores the need for effective PR support to navigate the media landscape and shape public perception. The decision by Meghan Markle to search for a UK PR executive is seen by some as a signal that the Sussexes are gearing up for a relaunch in 2024, with a focus on increasing their presence and activities in Pr...
Read more