Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s latest Netflix venture, Polo, has received overwhelmingly negative reviews from audiences and critics alike, prompting questions about Netflix’s continued investment in the former royals.
A streaming insider expressed skepticism in a conversation with In Touch magazine, asking, “How much money is too much money to spend on Harry and Meghan? That’s a tricky question because Netflix has almost unlimited capital and has already thrown tens of millions of dollars at this couple.”
Critics were harsh in their assessments. The Guardian labeled the show as an “unintentionally hilarious” take on “the world’s stupidest sport,” while The Cut published a scathing piece titled, “Harry and Meghan’s Projects Can’t Stop Flopping.”
Despite the negative reviews, the insider noted that Netflix values the press attention the Sussexes generate, particularly in key markets like the U.S. and the U.K. “The arbitrage for Netflix comes with all the press attention the Sussexes get,” the source explained.
However, the show is reportedly underperforming, with the insider stating, “Polo is shaping up to be one of the most disliked streaming shows of the year. It seems to underline how out-of-touch Harry and Meghan are compared to your typical Netflix subscriber.”
The criticism extends beyond the show itself. Industry professionals are reportedly frustrated by the opportunities given to Harry and Meghan, which they feel could go to creators with more innovative ideas. “Even among professionals in the TV business, they see their mostly pointless Netflix shows as taking opportunities away from creators and talent who are TV professionals with legitimately strong ideas,” the source added.
The insider warned that Polo’s failure could jeopardize the couple’s future in the entertainment industry. “They still have yet to deliver a rock-solid hit for Netflix that wins over their critics,” the source remarked.
Looking ahead, the pressure is on Harry and Meghan to create a successful project. “If they want to keep making television, they need to tackle a subject matter that’s relevant and make the project actually entertaining,” the source advised.
“If they can’t pull that off, it’s only going to marginalize them further from the Hollywood community,” the insider concluded, raising doubts about the long-term viability of Harry and Meghan’s Netflix deal.