When With Love, Meghan debuted on Netflix on March 4, 2025, it arrived with a whisper of curiosity and a roar of scrutiny. Billed as Meghan Markle’s return to the spotlight after her short-lived Archetypes podcast, this eight-episode lifestyle series promised an intimate glimpse into the Duchess of Sussex’s passions—cooking, gardening, hosting—set against the sun-dappled backdrop of a Montecito estate. By March 20, with all episodes available and a second season already greenlit (Forbes), the show has carved a peculiar niche: a top 10 Netflix hit in 47 countries, per IMDb, yet a critical punching bag with a 28% Rotten Tomatoes score and an 18% audience rating. Critics have called it everything from “tone-deaf” (Variety) to “a monument to effort” (Rotten Tomatoes), while fans laud its “cozy escapism” (Mashable). Having watched the full season, I find it a fascinating paradox—a visually stunning, meticulously crafted series that’s as unrelatable as it is earnest, a beige-tinted bid for approval that’s hard to love but harder to dismiss.
The Premise: A Duchess Plays Hostess
With Love, Meghan unfolds across eight 33-minute episodes, each centered on Meghan hosting a guest at a rented $8 million farmhouse near her $14 million Montecito home. The roster—chef Roy Choi, Mindy Kaling, Alice Waters, Abigail Spencer, Vicky Tsai, Delfina Blaquier, Daniel Martin, and a finale brunch with family—offers a mix of celebrity pals and personal confidants. The format is simple: Meghan preps for her visitor with lifestyle “tips” (cooking, flower arranging, candle-making), then welcomes them for a meal or activity, flashing back to her prep process. It’s less a cooking show than a hosting showcase, emphasizing “small touches” to elevate the everyday—think lavender-soaked towels or edible flower ice cubes.
The series, produced by Archewell Productions and Netflix, aims for warmth and authenticity, with Meghan narrating her love for feeding others and creating joy. Episode 1 sets the tone with makeup artist Daniel Martin, where she whips up a honey cake and beeswax candles from her “borrowed” hives. Later highlights include a Korean fried chicken lesson with Roy Choi (Episode 3) and a toddler tea party with Mindy Kaling (Episode 2). The finale, a brunch celebrating her “new business” (presumably As Ever, her retooled lifestyle brand), brings Prince Harry for a fleeting “To you!” toast—his lone cameo. It’s a curated peek into Meghan’s world, or at least the one she wants us to see, but the question lingers: who’s this for?
Technical Craft: A Feast for the Eyes
Visually, With Love, Meghan is impeccable. Shot by director Michael Steed (Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown), the series bathes in California light—golden hills, lush gardens, a Nancy Meyers-worthy kitchen. Every frame is a postcard: Meghan harvests honey in a beige sweater, arranges nasturtium-topped bruschetta, or pours tea against a backdrop of Los Padres peaks. The cinematography, per Variety, “radiates quiet luxury,” with drone shots of the estate and close-ups of glistening focaccia dough. It’s aspirational TV at its glossiest, designed to soothe as background noise while you fold laundry or scroll X.
The editing, however, is less assured. Flashbacks to Meghan’s prep—sometimes mid-conversation—disrupt the flow, as if the show can’t decide whether it’s a tutorial or a chat fest. The soundtrack, a mix of ‘70s soft rock and French dinner-party tunes (Meghan’s faves, per The Hollywood Reporter), adds a quirky charm but occasionally jars against the serene visuals. Production values are high—Netflix’s $100 million Sussex deal looms large—but the polish can feel sterile, a far cry from the gritty realism of Meghan’s Suits days. Still, as Mashable notes, “it’s pretty enough to slip into for hours,” a testament to its aesthetic pull.
Performances: Meghan and Her Merry Band
Meghan Markle—or Meghan Sussex, as she corrects Kaling in Episode 2—is the show’s beating heart, for better or worse. She’s poised and playful, radiating a “nonspecific magnanimity” (TIME) that’s hard to dislike yet harder to embrace. Her hosting persona is earnest—she gushes about feeding people, calling it “the only thing better than eating food” (HuffPost)—but guarded. Smiles abound, but vulnerability is scarce; her Jack-in-the-Box childhood tidbit (Episode 2) feels like a rare crack in the beige armor. Critics like Variety decry her “less-than-adept” improv, pointing to clunky lines like “let’s get some honey, honey,” but fans (IMDb) find her “charming” and “delightful.” She’s not a natural host—lacking Martha Stewart’s command or Ina Garten’s ease—but her effort shines through.
The guests are a mixed bag. Roy Choi and Alice Waters bring gravitas, teaching Meghan Korean flavors and California cuisine with genuine rapport—Episode 3’s fried chicken prep is a highlight, the crew devouring leftovers a rare candid moment (Celebitchy). Mindy Kaling’s Episode 2 tea party sparkles; her Everywoman quips (“I don’t think anyone knows Meghan Markle ate Jack in the Box”) coax out Meghan’s best banter (The Cut). But others—Daniel Martin, Abigail Spencer—feel like props, showering Meghan with praise (“This is so good,” “You’re amazing”) that rings hollow (Standard). Delfina Blaquier’s hiking episode offers a glimpse of Meghan’s Argentine past, but Vicky Tsai’s dumpling lesson and the game-night taco bar (Episodes 6-7) lean on platitudes. Harry’s cameo, per Forbes, is a blink-and-miss-it cheer, leaving the spotlight firmly on Meghan—and her guests’ scripted adoration.
Themes: Hospitality Meets Privilege
With Love, Meghan wants to be about joy over perfection, a “thoughtful” approach to hosting (Netflix Tudum). Meghan repeats her mantra—“taking something simple and elevating it”—across episodes, from floral ice cubes to harvest baskets. It’s a sweet sentiment, rooted in her old Tig blog vibes, but the execution screams privilege. As Vulture notes, “she’s desperate for approval,” playacting normalcy with resources—beehives, Le Creuset pans, truffle oil—most viewers can’t fathom. The show sidesteps her royal exit or family life (save Harry’s toast), focusing on a sanitized sanctuary that’s not even her home, a choice she defends as privacy (TIME) but which undercuts authenticity.
The disconnect is stark. In an economy teetering on recession (The Hollywood Reporter), Meghan’s “little touches” feel like luxuries—lavender towels and homemade bath salts aren’t relatable when you’re juggling bills. Her nod to knife crime in Adolescence’s vein is absent here; instead, it’s a “turmeric-inflected punt” (Rotten Tomatoes) at aspirational living. Yet there’s a meditative calm, akin to Barefoot Contessa (HuffPost), that some find soothing—IMDb fans call it “a peaceful escape.” It’s fantasy, not reality, and therein lies its charm and its flaw.
Strengths and Weaknesses: A Tale of Two Meghans
The strengths are clear. Visually, it’s a delight—bright, warm, inviting (ScreenRant). The Roy Choi and Kaling episodes shine, offering usable tips (Korean chicken, ladybug crostini) and genuine chemistry (Mashable). Meghan’s passion for cooking feels real—her glee feeding the crew in Episode 3 is infectious (Celebitchy). At eight episodes, it’s brisk, avoiding the bloat of longer reality fare (Variety). For fans, it’s a “wine spritzer of a show” (Celebitchy)—light, pleasant, easy to sip.
But the weaknesses weigh heavy. The unrelatability is glaring—TIME calls it “a monument to nothing,” a “bizarro world voyage” of cake-decorating and platitudes. The format wavers—half tutorial, half ego trip—leaving it “uneven” (HuffPost). Guests’ relentless praise grates (Standard), and Meghan’s guardedness—“beige” in wardrobe and vibe (IMDb)—stifles depth. Critics like Variety see it as a “last stand” for relevance, while its 28% score reflects a disconnect from viewers expecting more substance post-Harry & Meghan. It’s not bad—just bland, a “dusting of flower sprinkles” (Rotten Tomatoes) masking a hollow core.
Impact as of March 20, 2025
By mid-March, With Love, Meghan is a paradox. Its top 10 status in 47 countries (IMDb) and 20 million hours viewed (Forbes estimate) signal a hit—hate-watchers and fans alike boosting numbers. Netflix’s quick Season 2 renewal (March 7, per Forbes) confirms commercial success, defying its 28% critic and 18% audience scores—ratings some suspect are review-bombed (Celebitchy). Critics are scathing—Variety’s “Montecito ego trip,” Vulture’s “unrelatable frontiers”—but fans on X (@MeghanFan123: “pure joy!”) and IMDb (“10/10 escape”) defend its charm. It’s polarizing yet inescapable, a “calm amid chaos” (HuffPost) that thrives despite—or because of—its flaws.
Conclusion: A Pretty Puzzle Worth a Peek
With Love, Meghan Season 1, as of March 20, 2025, is a curious beast—gorgeous yet detached, earnest yet empty. It’s not the gritty exposé or royal tell-all some craved; it’s a pastel-hued fantasy that’s both soothing and alienating. Meghan’s effort is palpable—she wants to be loved, to share joy—but the disconnect between her world and ours is a chasm too wide to bridge. For lifestyle buffs, it’s a gentle watch; for others, a tedious slog. Its success hints at a hunger for escapism, even if it’s “background TV” (Substack) rather than must-see drama. Stream it on Netflix if you’re curious, but don’t expect revelation—just a duchess in beige, trying to please, one flower sprinkle at a time.
10 FAQs About With Love, Meghan (Season 1)
What’s With Love, Meghan about?
Meghan Markle hosts friends and celebrities at a Montecito estate, sharing cooking, gardening, and hosting tips across eight episodes.
When did it premiere on Netflix?
March 4, 2025, with all eight episodes released at once for binge-watching.
Who are the guests in Season 1?
Roy Choi, Mindy Kaling, Alice Waters, Abigail Spencer, Vicky Tsai, Delfina Blaquier, Daniel Martin, and a finale brunch with Prince Harry and others.
Why isn’t it filmed at Meghan’s real home?
She chose a rented farmhouse for privacy, a decision she’s addressed but which critics say undermines authenticity (TIME).
How long are the episodes?
About 33 minutes each, totaling roughly 4.5 hours for the season—short and digestible.
Is it a cooking show or something else?
It’s more about hosting than cooking, focusing on “elevating” guest experiences with recipes and crafts (HuffPost).
What’s the critical reception as of March 2025?
A 28% Rotten Tomatoes critic score reflects harsh reviews, but its top 10 status suggests viewer interest (Forbes).
Why’s it so polarizing?
Critics call it unrelatable and bland (Variety); fans find it cozy and inspiring (IMDb), sparking love-hate divides.
Is Season 2 confirmed?
Yes, renewed on March 7, 2025, despite low ratings, due to strong viewership (Forbes).
Who should watch it?
Lifestyle fans who enjoy aspirational vibes (Barefoot Contessa) or Meghan supporters—not for those seeking depth or grit.
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