Harry and Meghan’s Netflix Series: A Rollercoaster of Views and Controversies

Harry and Meghan Markle's much-anticipated Netflix series kicked off with a bang, attracting millions of viewers globally.

However, the excitement didn't last long, as the couple's audience numbers took a nosedive from the premiere to the third episode.

The first installment drew in an impressive 2.4 million viewers, but by the time the third episode aired, that number plummeted to just 800,000.

This staggering drop has been confirmed by the Broadcaster's Audience Research Board, or BARB, which focused on traditional television viewership rather than mobile or tablet streams.

This suggests that the actual numbers could be even higher.

Despite the decrease in live viewers, the series managed to rack up a remarkable 81.5 million views across all three episodes within the first week.

This made it the most-watched show in the UK and the second most popular in the United States.

Yet, the Sussexes faced harsh criticism despite their initial success.

As the viewership dwindled, so did the ratings.

On Rotten Tomatoes, the docuseries garnered a mere 48% from critics and an abysmal 12% from viewers.

IMDb wasn't much kinder, awarding it a low score of 4.3 out of 10.

In light of this mixed reception, Harry and Meghan are not backing down.

They are continuing their collaboration with Netflix, moving forward with a new project titled “Live to Lead.”

However, this endeavor has already sparked controversy.

New Zealand's Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, found herself in a bit of a pickle after appearing prominently in the trailer for the upcoming series.

Shortly after its release, she quickly distanced herself from the Sussexes' project, stressing that she was unaware of her inclusion.

Ardern's office confirmed that the footage used in the trailer was taken from a 2019 interview for a different project inspired by Nelson Mandela's legacy.

They revealed that while permission for the footage was granted by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the Prime Minister only learned of her feature in the series on the day the trailer was released.

This revelation raised eyebrows, especially given her role as a political leader who might be perceived as siding with Prince Harry against King Charles, the head of state in New Zealand.

The situation has put Ardern in a delicate position.

She has since requested to be removed from the series altogether, indicating her discomfort with the unexpected association.

Meanwhile, royal commentator Shannon Felton-Spence weighed in on the Sussexes' strategy.

He believes Netflix's decision to launch their project with a documentary about themselves was a calculated move to portray them positively.

Felton-Spence suggested that it would be beneficial for Harry and Meghan to move past their grievances and embrace a role as inspirational storytellers, which they have often claimed to aspire to.

He pointed out that while the Netflix deal encompasses more than just their documentary, the streaming giant likely recognized the documentary as a guaranteed hit, prompting its upfront release.

However, he expressed uncertainty about the success of their new project, considering their previous focus on royal family narratives.

As viewers digest the six-hour documentary, there seems to be a collective desire to turn the page and explore new content.

The lingering question remains whether Harry and Meghan can maintain their appeal without relying on their royal backgrounds.

As we await the release of “Live to Lead,” it becomes clear that the Sussexes' journey in the entertainment industry is anything but straightforward.

Their ability to captivate audiences outside of their royal identity will be closely monitored, and only time will reveal if they can transition into the inspirational figures they aim to be.