Lady Colin Campbell and Angela Levin have both taken their turns mocking Meghan Markle’s Netflix series With Love, Meghan. Campbell dubbed it “With Pain, Meghan,” claiming it was so dull that even watching paint dry was more invigorating. Levin complained that Meghan’s eight-part show was little more than lessons on bread, packing a suitcase, and wrapping a book, calling it insulting and brainless. Both women framed the series as evidence of Meghan’s desperation and irrelevance.

The problem? Their criticisms collapse when tested against facts.

The Numbers Lady C and Levin Ignore

Netflix’s own engagement data tells a very different story:

• With Love, Meghan Season 1 drew 5.3 million views and 25.5 million hours watched in its first reporting window.
• That performance made it the #1 food and lifestyle show on Netflix in 2025, ahead of Chef’s Table (2.2M views), Great British Baking Show: Collection 12 (1.6M views), Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend (600K views), and Top Chef Season 16 (500K views).
• Average viewing time was nearly five hours per viewer, unusually strong for a lifestyle show — clear evidence audiences stayed engaged, not bored.

Lady C’s suggestion that viewing figures were “dire” is simply false. Levin’s claim that Meghan underestimated her audience rings hollow when millions of viewers tuned in longer than they do for legacy franchises.

Beyond Streaming: The As Ever Effect

Unlike other cooking shows, With Love, Meghan wasn’t just about food. It was tied to the As Ever product line, which sold out repeatedly. The financials are striking:

• Across teas, spreads, and keepsakes, the line projected between $29M–$44M in profit at higher sales tiers with $84 to $127 million in gross revenue for 750K SKUs.
• Netflix not only hosted a #1 genre show but also enabled a brand integration that converted viewers into customers.

This is measurable, commercial success.

The Real Ennui

Critics insist Meghan induces ennui, but in truth, it is their contrived criticisms that are tired, predictable, and repetitive. Dismissing her work as “paint-drying” or “brainless bread” is not analysis. It’s recycled mockery dressed up as commentary. Meanwhile, the facts show that Meghan created the most-watched cooking show of 2025, sparked cultural conversation, and built a profitable product ecosystem around it.

Practicality vs. Mockery

Angela Levin sneered that Meghan Markle’s show taught viewers how to “pack a small case.” But what Meghan actually demonstrated was clever, everyday wisdom:

• Dryer sheets in the suitcase to keep clothes fresh, even when mixing clean and soiled laundry on the return trip.
• A photo of family tucked inside is a simple, humanizing detail that connects travel to home.
• Heavy items packed at the bottom, it is basic but effective advice for balance and wrinkle prevention.

These are not signs of condescension. They are the same kinds of practical travel hacks lifestyle magazines and TikTok influencers share all the time. Levin’s attempt to belittle them as “brainless” actually highlights a double standard: when Meghan shares advice, it’s mocked; when anyone else shares it, it’s celebrated as useful content.

Conclusion

Lady Colin Campbell and Angela Levin deliver soundbites that entertain their followers, but they are not grounded in evidence. The real story is that With Love, Meghan beat its competition, drove consumer sales, and positioned Meghan Markle as a successful lifestyle entrepreneur.