Netflix bets on Meghan’s glossy homemaking despite UK backlash

With Love, Meghan has divided critics and viewers — praised as charming domestic storytelling by some and derided as a polished PR vehicle by others — yet Netflix has confirmed a second season and commercial tie‑ins as producers target an international audience.

Since its debut, With Love, Meghan has polarised viewers and critics alike — and ahead of a confirmed second series the debate shows no sign of cooling. A column in the Daily Mail highlighted how some British viewers greeted the duchess’s glossy lifestyle show with mockery, and quoted a friend of the duke, Alex Rayner, arguing that the series may be pitched more to American tastes than to a traditionally sceptical UK audience. Rayner told the Daily Mail he felt British viewers were “a little bit more cynical” and that the programme’s polished domestic tableau was likelier to appeal across the Atlantic.

That split is reflected in the critical reaction. Some reviewers have been blunt: in The Guardian Chitra Ramaswamy described the series as “toe‑curlingly unlovable TV”, calling it tone‑deaf, overly curated and more of a publicity exercise than substantive viewing. Online commentary amplified that view, with many viewers ridiculing the show’s carefully staged segments — beekeeping, jam‑making and artisanal entertaining — as detached from wider social concerns. At the same time, other commentators and former acquaintances cited in the press have defended the show as honest homemaking and creative curation, pointing to the appetite for any glimpse into the couple’s post‑royal life.

Streaming platforms and the production partners have clearly read the mixed response and moved ahead regardless: Netflix has confirmed the series has been renewed and is set for a return in the autumn, with Tudum’s coverage saying filming is complete and teasing more of the same blend of how‑to segments, candid conversations and celebrity guests. CNN’s reporting emphasised Meghan’s role as an executive producer and placed the renewal in the context of the pair’s wider creative partnership with Netflix, noting that the show functions both as entertainment and as a platform for the duchess’s design and hosting sensibility.

Commercial extensions of the series are already in place, and here editorial distance is particularly important. A PR Newswire release announced As ever, a gourmet and lifestyle brand tied to the show, describing an inaugural collection of food and entertaining products developed in tandem with the programme. The statement outlined items such as fruit spreads, baking mixes and limited‑edition honey and positioned the label as an extension of the duchess’s on‑screen entertaining ethos; those claims come from the promotional material supporting the launch rather than independent appraisal of the products’ culinary merits.

The show’s mise‑en‑scène — and the location where it was filmed — feed much of the reaction. Press coverage has repeatedly pointed to the Montecito home the couple occupy, listing amenities that underline the private, high‑end context for the series. Reports have variably described the property’s size and features, and noted different figures for its value: one profile recalled the couple’s substantial estate and its array of facilities, while local property coverage from earlier reporting placed the purchase price in the region of $14.65 million and outlined nine bedrooms, multiple bathrooms and extensive leisure spaces. Those differing emphases — lifestyle portrait versus property dossier — help explain why reactions run from admiration to derision.

Ultimately, the story of With Love, Meghan is as much about cultural perception as it is about television. Producers and streaming executives appear content to continue, banking on an international audience and commercial tie‑ins even as UK critics and social media lampoon the show’s polished intimacy. As Netflix positions the programme for another season and the As ever range is rolled out, the debate over whether the series is sincere domestic storytelling or a finely engineered PR vehicle looks set to continue.

📌 Reference Map:

Reference Map:

Source: Noah Wire Services

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score:
8

Notes:
The narrative appears to be original, with no evidence of prior publication. The Daily Mail article is dated August 14, 2025, and includes recent developments, such as the confirmation of a second season of ‘With Love, Meghan’ and the launch of the ‘As Ever’ brand. The inclusion of these updates suggests a high freshness score. However, the article references earlier reports from March 2025, indicating that some content may have been recycled. This recycling is noted but does not significantly impact the overall freshness. The narrative is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. The content does not appear to have been republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks. No similar narratives were found published more than seven days earlier. The article includes updated data but recycles older material; this update justifies a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.

Quotes check

Score:
9

Notes:
The direct quote from Alex Rayner, ‘British viewers are a little bit more cynical,’ appears to be original, with no identical matches found online. This suggests potentially original or exclusive content. No variations in wording were noted, and no earlier usage of the quote was identified.

Source reliability

Score:
6

Notes:
The narrative originates from the Daily Mail, a reputable UK newspaper. However, the Daily Mail has faced criticism for sensationalism and inaccuracies in the past, which may affect its reliability. The report includes information from a press release, which typically warrants a higher reliability score. The mention of Alex Rayner, a friend of Prince Harry, is not verifiable online, raising concerns about the authenticity of this source. The lack of verifiable information about Alex Rayner suggests potential fabrication.

Plausability check

Score:
7

Notes:
The claims about British viewers’ reception of ‘With Love, Meghan’ align with previous critical reviews, indicating consistency. The narrative includes recent developments, such as the confirmation of a second season and the launch of the ‘As Ever’ brand, which are plausible and supported by other sources. The mention of Alex Rayner’s opinion adds a personal perspective but lacks verifiable details, reducing the overall plausibility. The tone and language used are consistent with typical media reporting on such topics.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary:
The narrative presents a mix of original content and recycled material, with some updates justifying a higher freshness score. The inclusion of unverifiable sources, such as Alex Rayner, raises concerns about the authenticity and reliability of the information. While the narrative aligns with previous critical reviews and includes plausible developments, the lack of verifiable sources and potential fabrication of quotes significantly impact its overall credibility.