Netflix calls for Meghan's new series to be delayed amid LA wildfires

Netflix is ​​currently facing calls to delay the release Meghan Marklehighly anticipated cooking series due to the wildfires that devastated much of Southern California.

The duchess and her husband Prince Harryhad previously asked Americans to “register” disabled and elderly people and others to donate to the Red Cross as recovery efforts continued.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle recently visited devastated communities and distributed food to the victims.

Meghan is set to launch her latest project, but the devastating fires in Los Angeles have many questioning the timing of the show's debut.

According to Daily mailseveral PR gurus have voiced concerns about the release of her cooking show, which hits Netflix on January 15.

The Duchess of Sussex's lifestyle series “Love, Meghan” is part of her and Prince Harry's $100m (£80m) deal with the streaming giant. A trailer has already been released showing her cooking in Montecito's kitchen and picking produce from her garden.

However, in light of the ongoing Los Angeles fires, many publicity professionals believe that sticking to the proposed release date would be “insensitive” and “tone deaf”, with many adding that Netflix should delay the release.

“I think Netflix bosses will have to make some big decisions about whether to air 'With Love' Meghan” over the next week, shared UK brand and culture expert Nick Ede.

“Because the show is so focused on California life, Los Angeles and Montecito, giving a glimpse into a purposeful and inspiring life, I suspect it will be pulled from the current schedule and delayed for at least a few months,” he added.

Ede also suggested that if Netflix postpones Meghan's show, it would be a “positive step” for the royal group and the streaming platform, as she has been under constant scrutiny and bad press for years.

“A show like Meghan is not time-sensitive, so that means it can be aired later,” the expert said. “We know how important the community is to both Meghan and Harry and the last thing they would want is backlash on air when they are trying to support those in need right now.”

Phil Dampierre, author of Royally Suited: Harry and Meghan In Their Own Words, also shared Ede's sentiments, saying: “The timing of Meghan's Netflix show could hardly be worse as hundreds of people have lost their homes in the terrible fires. “

“The last thing anyone wants is a show about getting friends over for canapés or arranging flowers when the city is on fire and people have lost everything,” Dampier told the news service.

Dampierre praised the couple for easing the pain of many victims so far, but said they “can't really win” because some will say it's a “PR move”.

He added that it would be “sensible” for Netflix to “pull the show” and “bring it back in the summer” when things are better. However, Dampier noted that due to the extent of the damage, it “will take several years.”

Dampier also suggested that Netflix “may want to continue the show, but Meghan would be wise to ask them to hold it off,” especially given her relationship with the streaming platform.

The royal author also noted that while Meghan isn't to blame, he can't see the show “being successful under the current circumstances.”

Damier believes the series is the “last roll of the dice” from the company's point of view, and if it “doesn't fly,” they may cut ties with the Montecito-based Royals.

“She just looks so bad that it's going on and no one in Los Angeles is going to watch it,” he added.

According to the news release, other royal government experts and PR gurus agreed, with Richard Fitzwilliams saying the show “must be shelved” or the Sussexes could be portrayed as “out of touch”.

Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan have been supporting fire victims in their own way as efforts to contain the fires continue.

Former working royals visited the Pasadena Convention Center on Friday, which is being used as an evacuation center. They comforted the victims and distributed food and other necessities.

According to Telegraphthe couple have already donated to relief efforts through their Archewell Foundation, including “clothing, baby items and other essential supplies for those affected by the fires.”

Harry and Meghan, who live about 90 miles north of Los Angeles County in the enclave of Santa Barbara, have also opened the doors of their Montecito mansion to friends and family affected by the fires because they are not currently under evacuation orders.

After they left the shelter, Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo spoke to Fox 11, emphasizing the couple's true commitment to the community.

“They didn't come here for publicity, they came here to work,” Gordo said New York Post. “We went to visit some families in the affected area and see first hand some of the affected areas.”

The mayor added, “And then they wanted to visit the first responders and personally thank them for their efforts to help our families and our neighbors. They really cheered the first responders on.”