Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Netflix show flops in the US and with critics
HARRY and Meghan’s Netflix show was a ratings hit in the UK – but flopped in the US and with critics.
The first episode of the six-parter was watched by 2.4 million people on TV sets in the UK, according to Broadcasters’ Audience Research Board (BARB) figures.
The second instalment had 1.5 million viewers while the third was seen by 800,000.
The figures were more than double those drawn by the first episode controversial royal drama The Crown, watched by 1.1 million on its first day.
But in The US – which has a population of 332 million compared to the UK’s 67 million – less than a million households tuned in on the first day.
And royal commentators and TV critics rounded on the “disappointing” shows.
There were suggestions Harry and Meghan had told the best bits to Oprah Winfrey in a March 2021 chat – and that the Prince had saved revelations for his forthcoming book.
The Times critic Carol Midgley wrote: “If I were Netflix, I’d want my money back.
“Because there was nothing ‘bombshell’ or even very new here.”
Meanwhile, The Sun on Sunday understands Netflix have no plans to extend their agreement with Harry and Meghan for more TV projects.
A source claims beyond the current docuseries and the already-filmed programme on Harry’s Invictus Games, there won’t be any more productions.
An earlier planned one for a children’s show devised by Meghan was dropped earlier this year.
A Netflix spokesperson said: “We value our partnership with Archewell Productions and are excited to share Harry & Meghan the series with the world.
We continue to work together on a number of projects, including the upcoming documentary series Heart of Invictus.”
It comes as viewers noticed Meghan’s ex-husband Trevor Engelson was not mentioned at all in the first three episodes of the Netflix series.
She was married to the 43-year-old film producer between 2011 and 2014 after they began dating in 2004.
New York-born Engelson has never spoken about their relationship and marriage which ended in divorce citing irreconcilable differences.
But royal biographer Andrew Morton wrote in his book Meghan: A Hollywood Princess, that she sent her diamond engagement and wedding ring back to her estranged husband in the mail as her acting career took off.