Spotify will not renew Meghan Markle’s podcast “Archetypes” for a second season, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Markle’s podcast, which explores historical and cultural stereotypes of women, will not return for a second season — a move which sources say is related to Spotify’s company-wide overhaul of its podcasting business.
The twelve episodes of the first season of the podcast, produced by Markle’s company Archewell Audio, which Markle co-founded with her husband Prince Harry, aired from August to November 2022.
The show’s Spotify description calls it “a podcast where we investigate, dissect, and subvert the labels that try to hold women back.”
Featured guests included Serena Williams discussing the “double standard” women face when labeled “ambitious,” and Mariah Carey on the “complexities surrounding the ‘diva,’” as well as first lady of Canada Sophie Grégoire Trudeau.
Markle and Harry first signed a $20 million deal with Spotify in December 2020, shortly before announcing they would no longer be working members of the British royal family.
Although “Archetypes” topped the charts in its early episodes, sources familiar with the matter said the couple have not met their benchmarks to receive the full payout.
Though Spotify had never confirmed the production of a second season, in the show’s final episode, Markle seemed to suggest the possibility of a second season, saying, “We’re working on other ways to keep the conversation going, but, just know that as we close out this season of Archetypes, that I thank you.”
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Sources attributed the cancellation to Spotify’s recent cutback in support for podcasts after the company announced last week that it would reduce its headcount by 6%.
Spotify has struggled to garner revenue from its podcast sector and has started to move away from exclusive streaming deals, according to The Wall Street Journal, which noted that the company is likely to continue its partnerships with its biggest podcasting names, such as Joe Rogan and Emma Chamberlain.
A representative for WME, a talent agency that recently hired Markle, said the podcast’s team members “remain proud” of their work.
“Meghan is continuing to develop more content for the Archetypes audience on another platform,” the WME representative said.
Markle and Prince Harry also signed a multi-year deal with Netflix, leading to the release of the documentary series “Harry & Meghan,” which explores the couple’s trajectory from early courtship to the decision to leave the royal family and relocate to California.
But that deal, too, has not been without its woes: The docuseries received mostly negative reviews from both U.K. and American critics, and, last year, Netflix canceled production of “Pearl,” an animated series created by Markle. The couple’s next series, “The Heart of Invictus,” is scheduled for release over the summer, Newsweek reported.