Meghan Markle's New Podcast Suffers Major Setback As It Is Delayed Until Next Year

The Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle's podcast has reportedly been delayed until next year. The former "Suits" star signed a new podcast deal with Lemonada Media to re-release her Archetypes series after Spotify ended their deal with her sometime last year.

According to reports, the delay is due to the company not wanting the "podcast's launch to be overshadowed by Meghan's new Netflix series. The former actress' series will center on cooking, gardening, entertaining, and friendship," and it is currently in its developmental stage.

According to the DailyMail, Meghan's "Archetypes" podcast series will not relaunch until next year.

The podcast was expected to be re-released on the Lemonada Media platform after the duchess signed a new deal with the company earlier in the year.

However, according to a source, the podcast company, which is less renowned than Meghan's previous partner, Spotify, has "pushed back" the launch after what appears to be an evaluation of the profitability of launching earlier than 2025.

The source claimed that the delay was initiated because Lemonada Media "is struggling to get off the starting blocks" and does not want the podcast's launch to be overshadowed by Meghan's upcoming Netflix cooking series.

Meghan's deal with Lemonada Media was signed back in February, several months after Spotify terminated its deal with the duchess.

As part of the deal, the company is expected to re-release season one of Meghan's "Archetypes" series, which was previously on Spotify. Additionally, the company and Meghan will launch a "dynamic new podcast," which is yet to be named but is already in the works.

At the time, Meghan released a statement announcing the deal, adding that she was "overjoyed" to be joining the company.

"I'm proud to now be able to share that I am joining the brilliant team at Lemonada to continue my love of podcasting," the duchess said, per People. "Being able to support a female-founded company with a roster of thought-provoking and highly entertaining podcasts is a fantastic way to kick off 2024.

Lemonada's CEO and co-founder, Jessica Cordova Kramer, also wrote that they are "thrilled" to work with the former actress to "create art that matters."

After Spotify canceled Harry and Meghan's podcast deal, the pair came under fire from the company's staff members.

Bill Simmons, the president of Spotify's foreign sports content, referred to the royal couple as "f--king grifters" in a podcast episode where he discussed his relationship with them.

Simmons also mocked the Sussexes, saying, "I wish I had been involved in the 'Meghan and Harry leave Spotify' negotiation. That's a podcast we should've launched with them."

The axed deal was reportedly worth $20 million, and the couple only produced 13 hours of content, which included 12 episodes of the Duchess' "Archetypes" podcast and a one-time holiday special.

Meanwhile, Meghan's Netflix series, which appears to be the reason behind the delay of her podcast, will reportedly "celebrate the joys of cooking and gardening, entertaining, and friendship."

The duchess will serve as an executive producer on the series for her and Prince Harry's Archewell Productions.

She will be joined by Micheal Steed as director and Leah Hariton as showrunner. Steed previously worked on "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown," while Hariton was a producer on HBO's cooking show "Selena + Chef," which starred singer Selena Gomez.

The show is currently in the early stages of development and has yet to be given a name or a release date. Also in the works is a polo show for which Meghan's husband is expected to serve as executive producer. The duo might also make cameos in the show but not star in it.

As part of the many ventures she currently has her hand in, Meghan recently launched a lifestyle brand called American Riviera Orchard.

According to a source, the brand "will reflect everything that she loves — family, cooking, entertaining and home décor."

"She is excited about her latest personal venture," the insider added, per People. "This is something she's been wanting to do for a while. She is excited to share her style and things that she loves."

Meghan opened an Instagram page to promote the brand, marking her return to the social media platform. She also launched a new website that directs visitors to a landing page where they are expected to enter their email to join the waiting list.

According to reports, the duchess has plans to sell a variety of home items, including, decanters, kitchen linens, and edible treats such as jellies, jams, marmalade, and spreads. She is currently processing several trademark applications for the brand.