In an unexpected twist in Meghan Markle’s post-royal journey, Netflix has reportedly canceled her much-anticipated cooking show before it could even make its debut.

This news follows closely behind the lukewarm reception of “Polo,” a documentary series that many viewers found less riveting than watching paint dry.

When Meghan and Prince Harry signed their impressive $100 million deal with Netflix back in 2020, the entertainment world was buzzing with excitement about the potential projects from this royal couple.

Fast forward to 2024, and it seems Netflix’s patience is wearing thin.

The five-part docuseries “Polo” aimed to unveil the glamorous world of professional polo, a sport often linked to the elite and aristocracy.

However, audiences didn’t seem to share the enthusiasm, opting instead to scroll past it more quickly than a horse galloping across a field.

Insiders have indicated that the series failed to ignite public interest, with one source likening it to “watching grass grow” in Windsor Castle.

The cooking show, which was supposed to highlight Meghan’s culinary skills and lifestyle insights, never progressed beyond the initial development phase.

This isn’t the first time one of Meghan’s television ventures has fallen flat; her animated series “Pearl” was also scrapped during its developmental stage.

The trend here is hard to ignore—ever since stepping away from royal duties in pursuit of financial independence, the Sussexes have struggled to capture the audience’s attention.

While their first Netflix documentary, “Harry and Meghan,” drew significant viewership, subsequent projects have not managed to maintain that momentum.

Critics argue that the couple’s content strategy seems to hinge on their royal ties while simultaneously attempting to distance themselves from the monarchy that initially made them famous.

One entertainment analyst quipped, “It’s like trying to sell a cookbook without including any recipes.”

The Netflix deal was meant to be the shining star in their post-royal portfolio, but it’s starting to resemble costume jewelry instead.

Sources within the streaming service have expressed growing concern over the return on investment, especially as the industry faces tightening budgets.

This recent setback raises serious questions about the viability of the Sussexes’ aspirations in the media landscape.

Supporters of Meghan might argue that she is being unfairly targeted, but others point out that Netflix’s decisions are driven by viewer engagement and numbers—metrics that don’t seem to favor Meghan’s projects.

The canceled cooking show was intended to showcase her genuine self, featuring family recipes and lifestyle tips.

However, focus groups suggested that the concept felt disconnected from the everyday realities of viewers.

The failure of “Polo” is particularly telling.

Despite having access to the glitzy world of polo through Prince Harry’s connections, the series struggled to attract an audience.

It seems viewers were not enthralled by the idea of watching affluent individuals chase a ball on manicured fields, even with the Sussex brand attached.

This series of disappointments raises broader questions about the couple’s ability to translate their royal celebrity into sustainable entertainment success.

While they’ve managed to hold public interest through interviews and revelations about their royal lives, creating compelling original content appears to be a different game altogether.

As the dust settles on this latest disappointment, the future of the Sussexes’ Netflix deal hangs in the balance.

Although they have other projects in the pipeline, the cancellation of these shows indicates that the transition from palace to production isn’t as seamless as they may have envisioned.

Ironically, in their quest for independence from the monarchy, the Sussexes may have overestimated their ability to engage audiences without the backing of royal prestige.

Commentators note that while they left the palace to share their stories, it seems audiences are not as eager to hear those tales as they had hoped.

For Meghan, who once found success as an actress in “Suits,” this return to the entertainment industry has proven to be more challenging than anticipated.

The shift from scripted drama to reality-based content has laid bare the limitations of their current strategy.

With Netflix tightening its budget and viewers becoming increasingly selective, the pressure is mounting for the Sussexes to demonstrate their worth as content creators.

The cancellation of these projects serves as a stark reminder that even with a $100 million deal, achieving success in the streaming world requires more than just royal connections and good intentions.

This abrupt cancellation of Meghan’s cooking show marks a significant blow to her aspirations of becoming a media powerhouse.

Initially perceived as a safe bet for Netflix, the decision to scrap the project raises doubts about the Sussexes’ capacity to produce content that resonates with viewers.

As the entertainment industry watches closely, the future of Meghan and Harry’s endeavors remains uncertain.