Megan Markle’s new podcast is getting savagely reviewed by British critics

Meghan Markle has finally dropped the premiere episode of her podcast, Archetypes.

Two years after the Duchess of Sussex struck an exclusive AUD$30 million deal (US$21.2 million, £18 million), with Spotify, the first episode finally dropped on Tuesday (August 23).

And hoo boy, it has not gone down well with some critics.

Markle's near-hour-long interview with her 'dear, dear friend' Serena Williams has been absolutely roasted by the British press.

The podcast is described as: "Archetypes with Meghan - a podcast where we investigate, dissect, and subvert the labels that try to hold women back."

Despite this, London's The Spectator couldn't disagree with her 'interviewing' Williams more.

Their review was out for blood, entitled 'Meghan’s Archetypes podcast is really all about her'. Ouch.

Steerpike, The Spectator's gossip columnist, wrote: "The first guest is Serena Williams, but tennis enthusiasts who tune in might be a bit disappointed. The show is in fact all about Meghan, since it takes 11 minutes for Serena to barely get a word in edgeways."

The blistering review adds: "It's hard to believe that it took 28 people, including eight executive producers, to make the episode – plus Meghan herself, who is also listed as an 'executive producer' in the credits."

The Times' James Marriott didn't hold back either, dubbing the podcast a 'parade of banalities, absurdities and self-aggrandising Californian platitudes'.

"The effect of all the tinkly music and vapid conversation is to make you feel you've been locked in the relaxation room of a wellness spa with an unusually self-involved yoga instructor," Marriott wrote.

The Daily Mail's Bel Mooney panned Markle's foray into podcasting as well.

Mooney lashed out at Markle for hogging the limelight, revealing she was 'keen to hear [Williams] analyse her ambition and desire to win', however it was not to be.

David Betteridge / Alamy

"This bizarre, saccharine and faintly queasy schmooze-fest between Meghan and 'my dear friend Serena' (as we hear over and over again) tells us next to nothing at all about the making of Serena Williams's towering ambition."

But the roasting wasn't just limited to UK critics.

Forbes said 'Meghan Markle led the show' and called it a 'love fest' with 'not a lot of information or insight' delivered.

Australia's Sky News host Andrew Bolt said that the new podcast proves she has a 'monstrous sense of self-entitlement'.

He added that 'tragically for Markle' the new podcast 'really does show the real her'.

Brutal.

Wonder if Spotify are now questioning the expensive, three-year deal it signed with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex... especially now they're more than halfway into that deal, with only one episode to show for it.

Topics: Royal Family, Meghan Markle, News, UK News, Spotify

Rachel Lang

Rachel Lang is a Digital Journalist at LADbible. During her career, she has interviewed Aussie PM Malcolm Turnbull in the lead up to the 2016 federal election, ran an editorial campaign on the war in Yemen, and reported on homelessness in the lead-up to Harry and Meghan’s wedding in Windsor. She also once wrote a yarn on the cheese and wine version of Fyre Festival.

@rlangjournalist