Meghan Markle's Split from Netflix: As Ever Brand Seeks Independence

Meghan Markle, once a prominent figure on Netflix, has officially parted ways with the streaming giant, signaling a new chapter for her As Ever brand. This move comes just months after the platform axed her lifestyle show, 'With Love, Meghan,' following harsh critiques from critics. Insiders suggest that Meghan felt Netflix was too 'cautious' and that she now believes her brand can 'stand on its own.' The split, however, is not without its complexities. The Duchess of Sussex, 44, had previously announced a partnership with Netflix a year ago, which included a commission for a new season of her show. This deal also granted Netflix a stake in her As Ever brand, which includes her jam, rosé wine, and flower sprinkles.

The abrupt split has raised questions about the future of Meghan's ventures. It is said that she plans to take her jam empire global, a move that may be hindered by the limbo in which her $100 million (£74 million) Netflix deal with Harry currently finds itself. A source told The Sun that Meghan is still on good terms with the Netflix team and close personal friends with Ted Sarandos, but she is very happy to have full control of the company. 'It's a good time for Meghan to have complete control, given recent successes,' the source said. 'Netflix have been a good partner, but she's wanted to go global with the brand for some time, but has been held back by the more cautious Netflix team.'

The Daily Mail's reviewer Annabel Fenwick Elliott gave the Christmas special of 'With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration' zero stars out of five, calling the show 'unlikeable.' She wrote: 'It's the syrupy hypocrisy and our hostess's deep lack of self-awareness that continue to make her and this show so unlikeable. If only she could lean into her waspish, Type A personality - poke a little fun at herself, even - she could just about be endearing, in a way that Monica from Friends would be.'

A spokesman for As Ever confirmed to the Daily Mail: 'As Ever is grateful for Netflix's partnership through launch and our first year. We have experienced meaningful and rapid growth and As Ever is now ready to stand on its own. We have an exciting year ahead and can't wait to share more.'

The departure from Netflix comes amid reports that the $100 million (£74 million) Netflix deal with Harry is in limbo. Archewell Productions, the couple's media company, announced in August 2023 that it was making a film based on Carley Fortune's novel 'Meet Me At The Lake.' Netflix purchased the rights to the novel for $2.9 million (around £2.2 million), but nothing has yet materialised. Page Six reported that insiders claim the projects are in limbo. 'Three years in development for a movie like this at Netflix isn't good,' a Hollywood source was reported as saying.

Plans for a movie version of 'Meet Me At The Lake' marked a change in direction for the couple, away from tell-all documentaries about the Royal Family. Harry and Meghan have also announced plans for a Netflix version of 'The Wedding Date,' a 2018 novel by American author Jasmine Guillory. The novel, which sold 37,000 copies in its first week, is centred around a couple who first meet in their 30s - just like Meghan and Harry. Themes in the book include postnatal depression, mental health, and childhood trauma relating to the death of a parent.

The Sussexes, who recently returned from their tour to Jordan, have also announced their plans for a Netflix version of 'The Wedding Date.' Last August, the couple signed a new 'multi-year' contract with Netflix. Meghan and Harry were described as 'over the moon' at the news, although it was understood to be far less lucrative than their previous one. In a further blow, it emerged in January that the Duchess's cookery show - which offered lifestyle tips from inside a rented $9.5 million mansion near Meghan's Montecito home - would not be returning for a third series on Netflix.

The second season of 'With Love, Meghan' also failed to land in Netflix's Top ten US shows in its debut week, according to Forbes. Insiders told Page Six that the 44-year-old's pet project won't be up for renewal - after the Duchess called it 'a lot of work.' One insider claimed: 'It is not returning as a series. There have been conversations about holiday specials, but there's nothing in the works yet.' Another source said: 'People will see similar cooking and crafting on Meghan's socials for the brand, but more bite-sized.'