A Beautiful Ruse? Our In-Depth Review of 'With Love, Meghan' Season 2
- Joao Nsita
- 6 hours ago
- 10 min read
There is perhaps no public figure in the world who operates under a more intense and unforgiving microscope than Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex. Every project, every interview, every public appearance is dissected with a level of scrutiny reserved for very few. It was with this immense weight of expectation that her Netflix homemaking series, With Love, Meghan, premiered its second season in late August 2025. The first season was met with a critical reception that can best be described as lukewarm, panned for its perceived lack of authenticity and its struggle to find a coherent tone. The central question hanging over Season 2 was whether the Duchess and her creative team would take that feedback, re-tool the recipe, and serve up something more satisfying.
Unfortunately, as the first episode of the new season makes immediately clear, the answer is a resounding no. As critic Brande Victorian notes in her sharp review, the season begins almost exactly where the first left off, signaling that the criticism fell on deaf ears—a fact later confirmed by the news that both seasons were filmed back-to-back. The result is a second course that suffers from the exact same identity crisis as the first. The show is a beautifully shot, aesthetically pleasing piece of content that sits uncomfortably at the intersection of several powerful social media trends—the "Quiet Luxury" of Montecito living, the "Cozy Homemaking" vibe of cottagecore, and the relentless modern demand for "Authentic Relatability." With Love, Meghan tries to be all of these things at once and, in doing so, fails to be any of them convincingly. It is a show caught in a painful paradox: a lavish, unrelatable reality packaged in the costume of middle-class relatability, resulting in a viewing experience that is as bland and unsatisfying as its predecessor.
The Relatability Paradox: A Painful Performance
The single greatest flaw of With Love, Meghan, as highlighted in Victorian’s review, is its deeply awkward and ultimately failed attempt at being "relatable." The show is set in a pristine, perfectly prepped Montecito farmhouse kitchen, a space that is meant to feel "chaotic," as guest Samin Nosrat generously describes it. In a conversation with Nosrat, Meghan explains the show's ethos: "That’s the thing, is to just be real about it and let’s work with what we have as opposed to going, ‘Here’s a recipe,’ [and] I have to go to the store [or] order all these things.” This sentiment, while likely genuine, is presented in a context that is so far removed from the reality of the average viewer that it borders on the absurd. The idea of "working with what we have" is immediately followed by scenes of Meghan whimsically picking flowers from her immaculate garden for a bouquet-making session or juicing organic vegetables for a Michelin-starred chef.
This creates a profound sense of cognitive dissonance for the viewer. There is nothing inherently wrong with being wealthy or living a beautiful, aspirational life. In fact, the escapist fantasy of celebrity lifestyles is a hugely successful genre of television. The issue is not the reality of Meghan's life, but the show's insistence on pretending it's something it's not. As Victorian astutely points out, "it’s as though Markle is trying to occupy the space of the middle class that we as a society know no longer exists — and she wouldn’t be a part of anyway." This performance of relatability feels inauthentic and, at times, condescending. It’s a fundamental misunderstanding of what audiences connect with. We don’t need Meghan Markle to pretend she struggles to find chicories at the local market; we need her to own her unique, fascinating, and, yes, unrelatable reality. The show's failure to do so makes it feel like a missed opportunity. It is a show that, unlike the greatest HBO dramas, shies away from the complexity of its own premise.
Stream With Love, Meghan now on Netflix.
The Netflix Ecosystem & The Dynamics of a "Safe" Guest List
As Emily Burack observes in her review for Town & Country, one of the most noticeable shifts in Season 2 is the composition of the guest list. While Season 1 featured a mix of Meghan's close, personal friends, Season 2 leans heavily into the "Netflix ecosystem." Many of the guests, including Samin Nosrat (Salt Fat Acid Heat), David Chang (Ugly Delicious), and Tan France (Queer Eye), are fellow Netflix stars. This is likely a strategic move, a nod to Meghan and Harry’s expanded production deal with the streamer. On one hand, this ensures a baseline level of quality; these guests are media professionals who are comfortable in front of the camera and competent in the kitchen. On the other hand, it contributes to a feeling of bland, corporate synergy, a carefully curated and "safe" environment where no real, spontaneous sparks are likely to fly.
The difference in energy between the guests is palpable. The Victorian review notes that a "historically outspoken Chrissy Teigen presents a muted version of herself," suggesting an environment where guests may feel they need to play by a certain set of unwritten, polite rules. In stark contrast, the episode with Tan France is highlighted as a success because his "naturally vibrant and inquisitive self" seems to bring out a more authentic version of Meghan. It’s in this episode that we get one of the season's only genuine personal revelations: that Prince Harry said "I love you" first. This small, humanizing detail stands out precisely because it is so rare. The show seems to create a space that encourages pleasantries over personality, a choice that ultimately robs it of the energy and engaging content it desperately needs. The lack of genuine conflict or surprise makes for a viewing experience that is far from the compelling drama of the best detective shows of the 2010s.
Stream With Love, Meghan now on Netflix.
External Link: The official Netflix Tudum site is the best place for official news and companion content for all Netflix shows, including With Love, Meghan.
When It Works: The Power of Meghan as the Student
Despite its overarching flaws, both reviews agree that the show finds its footing in the moments when Meghan steps out of the role of the serene, all-knowing hostess and becomes the student. The series is at its best when it allows its host to be slightly out of her comfort zone, learning alongside the audience. The finale, featuring the exuberant, larger-than-life chef José Andrés, is cited as a particular highlight. His charisma is infectious, and his role as Meghan's enthusiastic paella teacher provides a perfect, dynamic contrast to her more reserved on-screen persona.
Burack's review highlights a key scene in this episode, where Meghan becomes visibly uncomfortable as Andrés prepares to cook a lobster. Her authentic, slightly awkward reaction is a moment of genuine, unscripted humanity that is incredibly endearing. It’s in these moments that the performative veil drops, and we get a glimpse of a real person reacting to a new experience. Similarly, the episodes featuring Michelin-starred chef Clare Smyth or the plant-based cook Radhi Devlukia are more successful because they follow a clear and compelling structure: an expert is teaching a skill. This format gives the show a sense of purpose and allows Meghan to be a curious and engaging proxy for the viewer. When she is showcasing her own genuine talents, like flower arranging or calligraphy, the show also finds a more confident and authentic rhythm. It’s a clear indication that the show's format works best when it is a straightforward lifestyle tutorial, rather than a vague and unconvincing performance of "real life." The show’s struggle to find its identity is a fascinating watch, a theme that is also explored in some of the best TV comedies of the year.
Stream With Love, Meghan now on Netflix.
The Missing Ingredient: Vulnerability and Engaging Content
The central problem that plagues Season 2, and the reason it ultimately fails to be compelling television, is the glaring absence of genuine vulnerability. In the modern media landscape, particularly for a figure as public and as polarizing as Meghan Markle, audiences crave a sense of connection. We want to feel like we are getting a glimpse behind the curtain, a peek at the "real" person behind the public facade. With Love, Meghan seems determined to deny the audience this. The conversations, as Victorian notes, "just barely surpass small talk." The decision to de-emphasize Meghan’s personal life in Season 2, with fewer appearances by friends and no family members, feels like a strategic but ultimately self-defeating choice.
The show exists in a strange, hermetically sealed bubble. Meghan makes a passing reference to being away from her children for three weeks, a difficult time when she "was not well," but she avoids mentioning the reason—the globally reported death and funeral of Queen Elizabeth. This deliberate omission is telling. It’s a refusal to engage with the very real, very public, and very dramatic context of her own life, the very things that make her a figure of such intense public fascination. Without this willingness to be vulnerable, to be messy, to be real, the show is left with nothing but a beautiful, empty shell. It lacks the engaging draw and the emotional stakes that are necessary to make a show a must-watch. It’s a show that feels less like a heartfelt series and more like a carefully managed brand extension. For a truly great show about a public figure, you need the complexity and depth that this series lacks, a quality seen in even the best Eddie Murphy movies.
Stream With Love, Meghan now on Netflix.
External Link: The official IMDb page for With Love, Meghan is a great place to see the full list of guest stars and production details.
A Beautiful Ruse?: The Celebrity Lifestyle Conundrum
Ultimately, the Victorian review poses the central, lingering question: "is this all one very expensive and beautifully shot Suzy Homemaker-esque ruse?" The uncomfortable truth is that it doesn't really matter if it's a ruse, as long as it's entertaining. The modern celebrity lifestyle brand, from Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop to Joanna Gaines' Magnolia, is built on a foundation of curated, aspirational performance. Audiences understand this. We are not tuning into the Real Housewives for a dose of gritty realism; we are tuning in for the lavish fantasy and the manufactured drama. The problem with With Love, Meghan is that it fails on both fronts.
It is a show that is not authentic enough to be a relatable documentary and not dramatic or escapist enough to be a compelling fantasy. It exists in a bland, uncanny valley in between. The "safe" conversations and the lack of any real conflict or vulnerability make for a viewing experience that is, for many, simply boring. An authentic moment, like Meghan’s unconvinced "Okay" in response to Tan France’s suggestion of a yogurt face mask, is highlighted as a rare gem precisely because it is so out of step with the show's otherwise polished and controlled tone. The show lacks the messy, human drama that makes for great television, a quality found in even the best detective shows of the 90s. In the end, the show's greatest failure is not that it is unrelatable, but that it is uninteresting. It is a beautiful, expensive, and ultimately hollow confection, a reminder that all the production value in the world cannot make up for a lack of a compelling story.
Stream With Love, Meghan now on Netflix.
Conclusion
Season two of With Love, Meghan is a missed opportunity. It is a show that is blessed with a charismatic host, a massive budget, and a level of public interest that most creators can only dream of. Yet, it squanders that potential on a series that feels safe, sanitized, and fundamentally unsure of what it wants to be. By trying to be a relatable guide for the everywoman while simultaneously showcasing a life of immense privilege, the show fails to connect on either level. It is a beautiful but bland series, a perfectly curated but ultimately empty kitchen. The moments of genuine charm and connection are too few and far between, leaving the viewer with the lingering feeling that they have just watched a very long, very expensive, and very forgettable advertisement for a lifestyle brand.
External Links
Variety's TV Section: A leading entertainment trade publication with breaking news and reviews of all the latest shows.
The Hollywood Reporter's TV Reviews: Another essential source for industry news and critical takes on new series.
Rotten Tomatoes: Check out the aggregated critical and audience scores for With Love, Meghan.
Vulture's TV Section: Read in-depth reviews, recaps, and think pieces on modern television.
The official Netflix YouTube Channel: The go-to place for the latest trailers for all Netflix titles.
Archewell Productions: The official website for Meghan and Harry's production company.
The Cut - Meghan Markle: A collection of articles and think pieces on the Duchess from a modern, cultural perspective.
Town & Country Magazine: The source of one of the original reviews, with extensive coverage of the royal family.
FAQs
Where can I watch With Love, Meghan Season 2? Both Season 1 and Season 2 of With Love, Meghan are available to stream exclusively on Netflix worldwide.
Who are the main guests in Season 2? Season 2 features a number of celebrity guests, many of whom are also Netflix stars, including Tan France (Queer Eye), Samin Nosrat (Salt Fat Acid Heat), chef David Chang, Chrissy Teigen, and chef José Andrés.
Is Season 2 very different from Season 1? No. According to the reviews, the two seasons are very similar in tone, format, and content, which is largely because they were filmed back-to-back.
Do Prince Harry or Meghan's children appear in Season 2? According to the reviews, there is a de-emphasis on Meghan's personal life in Season 2, with fewer appearances by close friends and no mention of any family members paying a visit to the set.
What is the main criticism of the show? The main criticism is that the show feels inauthentic due to its "painful attempt at relatability." It presents a life of immense, unrelatable privilege while trying to package it as a normal, everyday homemaking experience.
What are the strongest parts of the show? The reviews agree that the show is at its best when Meghan is in the role of a student, learning a new skill from an expert guest like a Michelin-starred chef. These segments are seen as more authentic and engaging.
Is this a cooking show? It is a lifestyle and homemaking show that features a significant amount of cooking, but it also includes other activities like flower arranging, gardening, and crafting, all framed by conversations with guests.
What is "As Ever"? "As Ever" is the name of Meghan Markle's new lifestyle brand, which is expected to sell a range of products related to home, garden, food, and general lifestyle. The Netflix show is seen as a major promotional vehicle for this brand.
Will there be a third season of With Love, Meghan? While a holiday special is reportedly in the works, there has been no official announcement about a full third season of the series.
What does the "Netflix ecosystem" mean in the context of the show's guests? This refers to the fact that many of the guests in Season 2 are stars of other popular Netflix shows (e.g., Tan France from Queer Eye). This is seen as a form of cross-promotion or "brand synergy" within the streaming platform.
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