Why Meghan Markle’s Netflix Series Missed the Top 300 List
This is your moment! The streaming world just delivered a plot twist that no one saw coming.
By Elena West
Meghan Markle teamed up with Netflix to bring viewers an exclusive peek into her world, but the streaming giant’s own data shows the series did not reach Netflix’s top 300 most-watched titles. According to the official Netflix Top 10 page and analytics from FlixPatrol, the Duchess of Sussex’s production struggled to attract sufficient viewing minutes during its debut week, placing well outside the streamer’s key popularity threshold.
In mid-October, Suits alum turned executive producer launched “Archetypes,” a podcast-style visual series promising candid conversations with celebrities, experts, and friends. Netflix reported the show’s release on October 23, yet three weeks later, the title failed to register enough hours watched to appear in the Top 300 list monitored by Nielsen’s streaming ratings and FlixPatrol’s daily rankings. Competitor shows in that bracket often rack up tens of millions of hours within days of premiere, highlighting a significant gap.
Industry observers point to multiple factors behind the series’ muted performance. For one, the late-October slot coincided with several high-profile Netflix releases, including the latest season of a hit crime drama that dominated chatter on social media platforms like X and Instagram. Additionally, some viewers have expressed hesitancy toward a celebrity-hosted talk format, which historically underperforms compared to scripted series or reality competition titles.
Meghan’s production company, Archewell Productions, emphasized creative freedom and authentic storytelling when announcing the deal with Netflix in September 2020. A statement from company spokespersons highlighted the series’ mission to “challenge stereotypes.” Yet, streaming metrics reveal that a promo push across Netflix’s official Twitter feed and YouTube channel generated moderate buzz but did not translate into the sustained viewer numbers needed for Top 300 inclusion.
Comparisons to other A-list Netflix collaborations—such as shows produced by Selena Gomez and Shonda Rhimes—underscore the challenge of standing out on a crowded platform. Gomez’s recent drama climbed to the top 10 in over 50 countries within its first week, while Rhimes-backed content consistently stays in the top 100, according to data from Nielsen.
This performance dip does not necessarily spell doom for the series. Netflix often gauges long-term viewership curves and engagement metrics beyond initial release windows. Renewals can hinge on subscriber retention benefits and critical acclaim rather than immediate ranking.
Streaming rules are still being written, and every series has its own trajectory. Now that you’ve unpacked this story, think about the bigger lesson: even marquee names need the right moment to connect with audiences. Keep pushing forward and stay inspired!
Sources: Celebrity Storm and New York Post, Netflix Top 10, FlixPatrol, Nielsen
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
