Recent reports suggest that Meghan Markle has completed filming a new cooking-focused series, though details about its future remain unclear. The unnamed show was shot in two primary locations: a high-end florist just outside Montecito, California, and a lavish $5 million home near the $14 million mansion Markle shares with Prince Harry and their children. Rumored to celebrate the joys of cooking, gardening, entertaining, and friendship, the series may feature appearances from well-known culinary personalities like Michael Steed, who has worked extensively with the late Anthony Bourdain.

Production and Uncertainty

Despite completing production, the show does not yet have a confirmed release platform or air date. This uncertainty has fueled speculation about its future. Some suggest Markle may be attempting to secure a deal with Netflix before her and Harry’s existing contract expires in 2025. Reports indicate that Netflix has been hesitant to greenlight new projects from the couple. Another theory posits that the show was produced by Sony, which could potentially lead to a streaming release on a platform owned by the company, but only if Sony’s reported acquisition of Paramount goes through. This scenario raises the risk of the series languishing in Sony’s archives indefinitely.

Theories and Speculation

The best-case outcome would be the cooking show finding a home on Netflix as part of the Sussexes’ existing deal. However, this is not guaranteed, leaving the program’s fate very much up in the air as the 2025 contract expiration looms. A Reddit user with the handle “SecondHandCoke” shared insights suggesting the series may not have been produced by Netflix at all. The user claims the project, which still lacks a title or air date, is yet to undergo post-production and has not been officially picked up by any streaming service. This fuels theories about Markle’s true intentions and the show’s potential future.

One theory suggests Markle may be trying to push the series through to Netflix before the couple’s contract expires in 2025. Rumors indicate that Netflix has been reluctant to produce content for the Sussexes, hoping that a strict working style and refusal to take expert advice would prevent any new releases from Archewell before the deal ends. If the cooking show completes post-production in time, Netflix might be obligated to pick it up, depending on the specifics of the contract.

Industry Reactions

Sky News host Rita Panahi ridiculed the premise, stating, “Meghan Markle’s just wrapped up filming on a new cooking and home show for Netflix, a show which has yet to receive a formal title or air date. It’s apparently going to focus on the joys of cooking, gardening, entertaining, and friendship, and I’ve got to say it sounds bloody awful.” This level of skepticism is not surprising given the Sussexes’ mixed track record with their media ventures. The couple’s deal with Netflix has already faced scrutiny, with some criticizing the lack of content they have produced so far. The cancellation of their planned animated series “Pearl” in 2022 was seen as a setback, adding to a series of unsuccessful ventures that have fueled doubts about their ability to deliver on their high-profile deals.

High Stakes

The stakes are high for Markle’s cooking show to succeed, as it could be a crucial test of the Sussexes’ media ambitions and their ability to attract audiences. If the series fails to materialize or is poorly received, it could further damage the couple’s reputation and credibility in the entertainment industry. In the end, the future of Meghan Markle’s cooking show remains shrouded in uncertainty. Whether it ultimately finds a home on Netflix, a Sony-owned platform, or fails to secure a distribution deal altogether, the series’ journey has become a microcosm of the broader challenges and scrutiny the Sussexes face as they navigate the ever-changing landscape of the entertainment industry.

As the couple continues to explore new ventures, the success or failure of this cooking show could have significant implications for their future in media. For now, all eyes are on Meghan Markle and Prince Harry as they work to secure a place for their latest project in a competitive and often unforgiving industry.