In a surprising turn, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle appear to be avoiding any association with their new Netflix series Polo, which has been met with widespread criticism. The couple, celebrated for their promise of “inspiring, relatable” content, has been conspicuously silent about the release.
The series, released earlier this week, has received minimal promotion. No interviews, podcast episodes, or public statements have been made by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, despite their executive producer roles and cameo appearances in the show.
Sean McNulty, Hollywood producer and creator of The Wakeup newsletter, pointed out the unusual quiet. “There’s been no buzz,” McNulty told The Daily Beast. “For a Harry and Meghan project, you’d expect some sort of visibility, but this feels buried.”
Adding to the silence, friends who typically champion the couple’s ventures have remained quiet. Even Argentine polo star Nacho Figueras, a close friend of Harry and a central figure in Polo, offered only a brief nod to the series on social media before shifting focus.
Marketing expert Tony Case was blunt in his assessment: “The critics have universally slammed the show. Harry and Meghan are box office poison right now.” Case added, “They aimed to reshape their image in America, but the public just doesn’t seem interested in what they’re offering.”
Critics have not held back. The Daily Telegraph labeled the series a “tedious indulgence,” while The Guardian went further, calling polo “the stupidest, most obnoxious sport known to humanity.” One reviewer quipped that Polo could serve as background noise in a Succession episode.
When Harry and Meghan inked their $100 million Netflix deal in 2020, they promised content that would “inform and inspire.” Projects like Harry & Meghan and Heart of Invictus initially aligned with that vision. But Polo, described as a mix of Selling Sunset and The Real Housewives with a sporting twist, has left many scratching their heads.
A source reportedly told Closer Magazine that creative control may have been an issue. “The bosses wanted a reality TV vibe to appeal to a broader audience,” the insider explained. “That clashed with what Harry and Meghan originally envisioned.”
Adding a layer of intrigue, Prince William, Harry’s brother, appeared to throw subtle shade earlier this week. During a public appearance, William mentioned enjoying Black Doves, another Netflix release, but made no reference to Polo.
Some royal watchers see the lack of promotional effort as a tactical retreat. “They’re smart enough to know when something isn’t landing,” said a former PR advisor familiar with Hollywood marketing. “Pulling back now might minimize further damage to their brand.”
The lukewarm reception to Polo underscores the challenges Harry and Meghan face in carving out a sustainable niche in the entertainment industry. As critics continue to pile on, fans and detractors alike are left wondering: Can the Sussexes pivot from this stumble, or has the shine of their Netflix partnership worn off for good?
Whatever the answer, one thing is clear: Polo is not the crowning achievement the couple envisioned when they signed their high-profile deal.
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