Ted Sarandos, CEO of Netflix, has come to the defense of Meghan Markle amid the various opinions generated by her latest project on the platform, the lifestyle series “With Love, Meghan.” In an interview with Variety, the executive highlighted the relevance of the Duchess of Sussex in contemporary culture.
Furthermore, Sarandos downplayed the criticism towards his influence and the projects he has developed with her husband, Prince Harry. Since signing a multimillion-dollar deal with Netflix in 2020, Meghan and Harry have produced various content, including the docuseries “Harry & Meghan”, “Heart of Invictus”, and “Polo”.
Ted Sarandos defends Meghan Markle and her importance in culture
Although not all of their productions have had the same impact in terms of audience, Sarandos argues that the interest generated by the couple goes beyond the numbers. “I think Meghan’s influence on culture is underestimated,” he declared. “When we released the trailer for Harry and Meghan’s documentary series, every element that appeared on the screen was analyzed by the press for days.”
“The shoes she was wearing sold out worldwide. The Hermès blanket on the chair behind her sold out worldwide,” Sarandos concluded. On the other hand, the series “With Love, Meghan” has been a success on the platform, managing to position itself in the global top 10 of Netflix and guaranteeing a second season.
The show features Meghan in her kitchen in Montecito, California, sharing recipes and presentation tips with renowned guests such as actress Mindy Kaling and chef Alice Waters. However, the show has also been the subject of criticism and ridicule.
Netflix on Meghan Markle’s side
In addition to her work at Netflix, Meghan has ventured into e-commerce with her new lifestyle brand, “As Ever,” in which Netflix has a stake. Regarding this new venture, Sarandos commented: “We are a passive partner in Meghan’s company, and it is a great discovery model for us at this time.”
The brand will offer products such as teas and jams and will mark a new direction in the duchess’s career. Although the Sussexes' contract with Netflix ends this year, the future of their relationship with the platform remains uncertain. Sarandos avoided confirming whether they would renew the agreement, but made it clear that Meghan’s influence on culture should not be underestimated.