Weeks ago, the rumors about the Duchess of Sussex possibly joining the cast of Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen spread like wildfire across the trade papers, the British press and Deranger media. From what I can tell, there were some conversations but nothing was ever offered and nothing was ever nailed down between Ritchie and Meghan. But it absolutely looked like Ritchie used the rumors to promote the show ahead of its Season 2 premiere, and it looked like Netflix used the rumors to greenlight a third season. There was definitely some cynical promotion happening, but it wasn’t on Meghan’s side. Well, after the Gentlemen’s cast all had shady sh-t to say about Meghan during their press junket, it turns out that all of those machinations had a negative effect on viewership. Huh!! Of course, the Telegraph is twisting themselves in knots to blame… Meghan. Who has never stepped foot on this show’s set or said one word about the show.
The Gentlemen has lost half a million viewers in Britain amid rumours that the Duchess of Sussex is in talks to be cast in the next season.
Netflix’s audience appears to have switched off the series in droves, as the latest viewing figures show 500,000 fewer people chose to tune in to the latest instalment of Guy Ritchie’s series than the premiere of the first season.
Season two of the crime drama, which stars Theo James as he “transitions from duke to drug baron” after inheriting his family’s estate and discovering it is home to an underground cannabis empire, premiered on Sept 3.
Audience figures, supplied by the UK’s official ratings agency Barb, dropped by around 15 per cent from the first season’s debut episode, which was streamed by 3.5 million people in March 2024. By contrast, after seven days on the streaming giant, the new season’s first episode has been seen by three million British viewers.
The figures differ from Netflix’s data, which also show a similarly steep decline in viewership of nearly 50 per cent in its opening weekend compared to the first season.
According to Deadline, the show’s second series tallied 6.7 million views in its first four days of availability, almost half of that in 2024, but it has already been renewed by the streaming giant for a third season.
It comes after the news that the Duchess, before her relocation to Britain with Prince Harry last month, was in advanced discussions to join the cast for the next instalment of Ritchie’s show. The Telegraph understood at the time that the offer of the acting role formed part of the decision-making process in the family relocating to the UK with their two children, but was not the sole reason.
What kind of dumbass analysis is this? I’m really asking. They’re pointing to “casting rumors for a season which hasn’t been filmed yet” as the reason why people are opting out of a Meghan-free season 2? Maybe the show just sucks and viewers are turned off by Theo James’ inherent smarm, and the “Meghan casting rumors” were a hail-Mary scheme to promote a show which had little to no buzz two years since its first season? They’re talking about Meghan like she didn’t star in Suits, a show which gained so much popularity on streaming that multiple articles were written about how people were watching hundreds of millions of hours of a show which had not been on the air in years. The numbers for The Gentlemen show that without Meghan, that show is a total flop. That’s my analysis.
Update: Meghan posted from the Cotswolds!
Meghan finally posted from England pic.twitter.com/xgVLTPjHb2
— Kaiser@Celebitchy (@KaiseratCB) September 13, 2026
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Backgrid.
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- Montecito, CA Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, will return to Britain after six years of living in Montecito, USA. The prince and his wife have been estranged from the royal family but are now returning to England with their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5. It is told that King Charles got the news last Sunday that his son is moving back to the UK within three weeks and Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet will enroll in school here. Pictured: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle BACKGRID USA 20 AUGUST 2026 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- Theo James, Guy Ritchie and Kaya Scodelario at The Gentlemen UK Series Global Premiere at Theatre Royal Drury Lane in West End, London, United Kingdom on 5 March 2024.,Image: 854745739, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no , Credit line: Cat Morley/Avalon
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- Theo James at The Gentlemen TV show season 2 premiere, London, UK, on the 2nd September 2026,Image: 1130207630, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no , Credit line: James Shaw/Avalon
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- LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 02: Giancarlo Esposito, Joely Richardson, Ray Winstone, Theo James, Kaya Scodelario, Jasmine Blackborow and Vinnie Jones attend the Netflix World Premiere of “The Gentlemen” season 2 at Guildhall on September 02, 2026 in London, England. *** Local Caption ***,Image: 1130444751, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no , Credit line: JP / CB/Avalon
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- The Hague, NETHERLANDS – The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, and his wife, Meghan Markle, on the Yellow Carpet ahead of the Invictus Games. The Invictus Games will take place from 16 to 22 April 2022 at the Zuiderpark and are intended for soldiers and veterans in the service who have been psychologically injured Robin Utrecht. Pictured: Meghan Markle, Prince Harry BACKGRID USA 15 APRIL 2022 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- The Hague, NETHERLANDS – The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, and his wife, Meghan Markle, on the Yellow Carpet ahead of the Invictus Games. The Invictus Games will take place from 16 to 22 April 2022 at the Zuiderpark and are intended for soldiers and veterans in the service who have been psychologically injured Robin Utrecht. Pictured: Meghan Markle, Prince Harry BACKGRID USA 15 APRIL 2022 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- The Hague, NETHERLANDS – The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, and his wife, Meghan Markle, on the Yellow Carpet ahead of the Invictus Games. The Invictus Games will take place from 16 to 22 April 2022 at the Zuiderpark and are intended for soldiers and veterans in the service who have been psychologically injured Robin Utrecht. Pictured: Meghan Markle, Prince Harry BACKGRID USA 15 APRIL 2022 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- The Hague, NETHERLANDS – Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, arrive for the Friends and Family reception during the 2022 Invictus Games in The Hague. The reception at the Invictus Games Park is hosted by the city of The Hague and the Dutch Ministry of Defence Pictured: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex BACKGRID USA 15 APRIL 2022 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- The Hague, NETHERLANDS – Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, arrive for the Friends and Family reception during the 2022 Invictus Games in The Hague. The reception at the Invictus Games Park is hosted by the city of The Hague and the Dutch Ministry of Defence Pictured: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan Duchess of Sussex BACKGRID USA 15 APRIL 2022 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
So is the Telegraph saying that the show flopped because viewers found out that Meghan wasn’t in season 2? I’m confused. As I’ve said before, hope Meghan got a cheque for all that free promotion that the show got.
I think they’re saying that people are boycotting the show because maybe, possibly, it was rumored, that Meghan might have been approached to be on the show – as in, see how toxic she is?
I abandoned the show halfway through the first season because it was obvious where things were going and I got bored. But, to tell the truth, by the time this whole kerfuffle started I had totally forgotten even the name of the show – and then I was like, “oh, that thing?”
But Meghan wasn’t in Season 2 and it was never confirmed that she was going to be an the show. This was just a weird assumption for viewers to make.
It’s not the viewers – it’s the press that’s making that assumption, just as they’ve made every other assumption about Meghan and this show.
I watched about half of the first season, I had high hopes but alas I couldn’t continue. I was willing, however, to give it another try If Meghan had been cast.
Me too! I made it through only the second episode. It was both predictable and so darkly awkward. I also forgot the name and was thinking about trying again only because of the possibility of Meghan in the following season.
@AmyBee its not a weird assumption, its a stupid one, lol. But yes, they are blaming the drop on viewership on the Meghan rumors rather than the actual quality of the show. Its stupid if people stopped watching bc of Meghan’s rumored involvement, and its stupid to assume that the drop in viewership is because of Meghan and not the show itself.
basically…..the british press is just going to keep on keeping on.
And yet, before the eps even began to air, it was clear that Meghan wasn’t in Season 2 and it already sounded like any alleged “talks” for her to be in Season 3 were not coming to fruition.
So it’s equally plausible that numbers tanked because people are pissed on Meghan’s behalf that they show exploited rumors about her to try to drum up interest.
While I’m sure it’s just that the show is not interesting (based on everyone’s comments here, TBF I’ve never seen it), it’s certainly no less ludicrous to make an argument people are indignant about them exploiting Meghan as it is that they are pre-emptively upset about a possible future season in which Meghan may or may not – but currently seems not to – have a role.
The viewers aren’t actually saying. anything. I didn’t know about The Gentleman until the rumours+++++about Meghan, maybe, possibly being in it. Lies. Remember when Femingra shared a story back in January about Meghan’s, With Love Christmas Special and Kate’s Royal Together Christmas thing.LOL Meghan beat out Kate. LOL. A show that doesn’t feature Meghan has down tick in vierwership because something, something. But, the but of Kate’s “popularity” was beaten by Meghan and a Gladiators Special Christmasthingy.
https://feminegra.com/kate-middletons-royal-carols-flops-on-itv-as-media-looks-away/
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FFS, what ISN’T Meghan’s fault??!! Avocado toast anyone? KKKan’t’s “cancer”??!! It’s pathetic and ridiculous, at this point.
I think if we try a bit we can connect her to the bubonic plague and the downing of the Hindenburg.
She obviously killed the Lindberg baby too
she started the mullet!
actually the people who don’t like her probably still wear mullets
This is so silly.
The likely reason the show lost millions of views isn’t the gossip. It’s becuase they took way too long to come back between seasons. There has been all sorts of discussion lately on the impact of Netflix taking years to launch additional seasons of shows that were initially hits and the resulting drops in viewerships and people forget shows they were once excited about with so much competition in the market. This seems like a great case of that. Geez. It’s not Meghan, it is the Netflix model.
Trying to scapgoat Meghan for this instad of talking about the challenge for shows to keep consistent viewership within the streaming model is such a miss.
One reason Slow Horses is so good and has such a following is that there has been no lag between seasons. They finish one season, take a few months off, then start filming the next. Season 6 is about to premiere, and they’ve already finished filming season 7.
I think Slow Horses actually films two episodes at a time.
The reason why the show is doing poorly is because of the unmitigated violence. Guy Ritchie usually combines violence with dark humor, but season 2 is has no humor whatsoever
I actually think the violence is a necessary part of the storytelling as the whole show is a thinly vieled emtaphor for English colonialism/biritsh imperialism and violence is a central part of that.
That’s why he built in so much more violence as Eddie’s ambitions have grown and that is a major reason that one of the main themes of the second season is legacy, British history, and the violence that allowed for the artistocracy to amss the land in the first place.
I agree with both RED SNAPPER & SUNNY. I enjoyed the first season and didn’t even know a second was coming out until a read it hear in a Meghan post. There was a character in season 1 that reappeared in season two and I didn’t remember him. My husband did and went back to find the reference for me in S1. This character turned out to be quite important without a reminder I had no idea who he was.
^^. It’s entirely on the two and a half year wait for season two. Netflix saw a more drastic drop with Wednesday, and even Stranger Things fans got tired of waiting years in between seasons and viewership plunged. I wouldn’t be surprised in Netflix decides to cancel The Gentleman outright.
They had already greenlit the third season before the second season dropped but they still could decide to cancel it. They might not if they want to keep good ties with Guy Ritchie. Either way, they need to seriously re-think years between seasons as a model.
ITA. I lose interest and forget about the nuances of the story that are carried over to a new season. I never watched stranger things, but I watched Wednesday because my daughters were under 13 and wanted to see it. At first I said no, but it was omnipresent in their age group so I relented. It was OK, the scary scenes were predictable. By the secons season these kids didn’t get as much older as the story peogressed into a freaky horror show. I didn’t have to ban it, my kids just lost interest in the extremely freakish turn it took.
I’m watching season 2 as I am a fan of the show but I don’t binge anything and like to take my time. I’m only on episode 3.
@Sunny completely agree. I honestly had never heard of the show before the rumors of Meghan’s casting and that probably would have been the only reason I would have tuned in. But to blame Meghan for poor viewership on a season she isn’t in and a show she isn’t on is nonsensical.
I have given up on so many Netflix shows like Wednesday, Sabrina the teenage witch’s show, and even the latest season of Bridgerton because they take too long between seasons and if Netflix isn’t invested in the “must-see” aspect of their television shows then why should I as a viewer be when I have so many other tv viewing options at my disposal in this day and age.
Like do they not realize how insane it is to expect me to care about a show that I last tuned into maybe two years ago, when in many cases, the quality or content of the Netflix show wasn’t improved by the extended wait, and I think this is the case for a lot of people. They also cancel shows people actually do get invested in so that also doesn’t help build longevity in viewership (RIP Ransome Canyon tear). Besides, Netflix themselves knows this is a problem and have admitted as much, but never miss an opportunity to blame Meghan for something she has absolutely nothing to do with am I right?
Ransom Canyon was canceled?? 😕 I just binged the two seasons and loved it! It’s the perfect escapism, like Baywatch in a cowboy theme. Pfff such a bummer
I hadn’t even heard of this show until Meghan’s name was attached, so the idea that Meghan has anything to do with the drop is dumb. Obviously the show was not that good in the second season.
The British press is so lame.
I had never heard of it either until they mentioned Meghan’s name.
I hadn’t watched it before, and started watching it to catch up in case! lol
Maybe UK viewers are simply fed up with aristocrat gangsters and their privileges. Life is hard for many in the UK and maybe they need something more positive on tv.
Many reasons can explain this and none have anything to do with Meghan. However, using Meghan sell.
Yeah – and Guy Ritchie is a bit of a one trick pony at this stage. I enjoyed Lock Stock & 2 Smoking Barrels & Snatch when they came out years ago but then his stuff got to “same-y” for me…
My heart really does go out to Meghan . how the f do you blame someone for something they never had a part of . I am with Kaiser analysis. And Theo seems like an ass of the hole so glad the show tanked .
I broke a nail yesterday and forgot my Aunts birthday. I’d like to blame Meghan.
My car stalled and my cat got out. Dammit, Meghan!
I watched it last week when it came out and I actually thought it was genius on whoever’s part it was to bring Meghan’s name into the promotion. Because there are so many parallels between the brothers in the story and Harry and William. Don’t want to spoil it for anyone who wants to see it and hasn’t but there’s even a moment where Theo James’ character is called “darling boy” after a tragedy caused by the person who’s called him darling boy. It actually gave me a bit of a chill because it was so on the nose.
That does give a chill, @JessieHeels77. In all honesty, when I saw the first season ages ago the first thing I thought of — literally — was, OMG, someone finally had the stones to put the William vs Harry dynamic on screen, and with exactly the right sense of proportion and pique. Like, bull’s eye. But I’m guessing Meghan might have turned them down if only because the analogy is so point. She’s classy. So much more classy than the tawdry tabloids here.
I remember seeing the parallel two years ago! Gave me the chills too.
I was thinking the same thing! I finished S2. I thought it was great, at least the last few episodes. And yes, there are parallels with the brothers and Will/Harry! I feel like so much about William is a mystery because the Firm keeps it that way. Harry is much more of a known quantity.
This is ridiculous it’s an absolutely horrible show I couldn’t make it through the first season so it doesn’t surprise me people are not interested in wasting time on the second season.. even hating the show if Meghan was cast I would suffer through every episode of hers because I miss her being in hallmark kind of movies, Suits and her guest appearances in various shows.
I would have watched this season but I was put off by the way it seemed like The Gentleman had used Megan’s name to promote season 2 and yes as a commenter above said, Theo James’ smarmy response in the junket interview about that.
Also I believe it was @Julie above who pointed out that many of us are less interested in the trials and tribulations of the rich and privileged these days.
Here in North America it’s also an extremely busy time of year early September like not a great time to launch a season. Honestly the British media could benefit to find some (real stories I wonder where there are real stories these days!) to cover.
The reality is that Netflix shows lose viewers due to the extended gap (between 18 months and two years on average) between seasons. It has been documented over several top rated/high viewer shows like Wednesday, Stranger Things, Bridgerton, Beef, The Witcher, etc. This data was first reported in July.
https://share.google/VUEBV4EXpUaHLA7PT
I agree., this is the problem. The Gentlemen season 2 is just as good as the first (although I’m not done with it yet), but it’s been almost 2 years since people were thinking about it.
And I reject the “inherent smarm” of Theo James comment. It’s called acting. His character is going through a power trip this season. And he’s sexy AF while he’s doing it.
Apparently the gentleman s2 is number 1 in usa and France and number 2 in uk so is presumably performing well in key Netflix markets. But it’s a measure of the smear campaign against Meghan that publications like deadline & the torygraph downplay that success to drag Meghan just because of a RUMOURED connection.
I just finished season 2 and it, to me, wasn’t as good as the 1st one. Can’t believe anyone would blame Meg for this…total BS
I’d be very curious to know the numbers in the rest of the world. That would be the only way to get an actual sense of what happened.
But I’m sure it’s just the usual foolishness of Netflix waiting so long for the second season that people forgot what happened in the first.
Casting rumors had zero to do with it. People tune in for a new season when they love a show and have been waiting for the second season to drop. What would a rumor have to do with a full cast and storyline that people are attached to.
I adored Season 1 of The Gentlemen. My teen and I watched together when she was sick. We just watched Season 2 and it was okay but not as funny because they sidelined two of the best characters, Freddy (the big brother) and Jimmy (the weed grower). I think Meghan would be a fun addition to the series but I’d be surprised if she’s interested in the job.
Love Meghan’s video! Life looks good in the Cotswolds.
Lol, I posted earlier that Meghan sightings have been on IG. Love the video and how they’re having fun even if there are mud and puddles.
Meg’s commercial value is such, that I doubt she would return to acting with a bit part in a Netflix series. I would think a substantial part with Oscar potential would be more appropriate. If anything, I would think Harry may be working with Charles Spencer on a Diana documentary based on his book. Through Archewell productions, of course.
Huh. My husband and I watched S2 and really liked it. In some ways it fell off from the first season, but the last few episodes are bangers! And like others have said, there seems to be some sly parallels between the brothers on the show and Will/Harry? Also a few Godfather nods (but isn’t that so often the case?).
This newspaper (the telegraph) belongs to the German Axel Springer publishing house. This publishing house supports the far right (they strongly support the german AFD) and hates all Muslims, dark-skinned people, and everyone who isn’t white and Christian. I started watching the second season and thought how cool it would be if she were in it. She would fit in perfectly. And from what I’ve read in interviews with the actors so far, none of them gave the impression that they were making jokes about Meghan, only about the rumors. Which is perfectly fine since they were obviously constantly confronted with them. They know themselves how crazy the press can be about Meghan. And who cares about the ratings in the UK? In the rest of Europe, this series is popular because the rest of Europe isn’t obsessed with the British royals and their gossip around them. We don’t give a f.
I agree. She’d fit in very well. I don’t think Meghan is the strongest actress, but she shines in her wheelhouse. I could very much see her having a role in it. But I doubt it will happen.
I had never heard of the show so I tuned in for 2 episodes to see what it was about!.Not my cup of tea and I wouldn’t have watched it except for Meghan! So it was just click bait! They deserve what they get!
So if she does or doesn’t do A, B or C, everything will still be her fault? That’s fair. Get out of that damned place!
On TMZ, there’s an adorable video of Lili riding a bicycle with her doll riding in the back as her passenger. Archie is running next to her.
So they got crossways with the Sussex Squad and are now crying about it. Sounds like (their lack of) skills issue to me.
Archie says “Go!” in a British accent!
Love Meghan’s IG reel.
Me too, I look forward to them.
I’m gonna commit the cardinal sin of commenting before reading the post – because I am really pissed off!
The big Netflix story all summer was about how they were hurting since many viewers don’t return for second seasons of shows because:
(a) viewers are angry that it takes so long between seasons
(b) viewers are angry that show they invest in gets canceled before the full story has been told
(c) That’s why viewers wait until a show is concluded before bing-watching the whole thing.
LEAVE MEGHAN OUT OF IT
Man.
I don’t think I’ve ever finished an episode of this show. I couldn’t get through the first episode so gave it a missed. When season 2 was on my home screen I just gave it a thumbs down due to the shenanigans of the cast towards Meghan.
-IF- Meghan had been cast in some capacity in Season 3, the ratigs would have been through the roof. Viewership numbers doesn’t care if you’re a regular watcher, a Meghan fan, or are hate watching because of Meghan. All the haters who claim they’d boycott anything are always lying.
Also just wanted to add that I just put Netflix on my phone using my VPN set to the UK. Where The Gentlemen is sitting at #1 in series charting.
Oh, man – only a 15% drop-off in viewers is actually good news for Netflix!
jesus.
Thank god, H&M + the kids seem to be having some fun
* Cute video! *
Ha! Ha! The Union Jack + Heart emojis.
They’re gonna say she’s copying Kate, aren’t they?
I watched all of season one, and I’m watching season 2 now. The issue with viewership isn’t Meghan’s fault; it’s because the writing continues to decline. The Gentlemen is an interesting idea that gets less interesting and more predictable with each episode. Repeats of the stories are a turnoff, and viewers are showing their displeasure by turning off the channel. I’m halfway through the 2nd season, and frankly, it’s a slog. I suspect mentioning Meghan gave the show a real boost. I had forgotten about it, and I’m back because of the press.
A drop of 15% isn’t a “total flop”
I like the show and I’m sure it’s doing fine for any second season.
I stopped watching the show not only because it wasn’t that good but because the cast and others were gratuitously bad-mouthing Meghan. If they lost that many viewers, it was probably from both sides of the fence? Those were stupid shenanigans, using her name to try to prop up a flailing show.
I agree with many of the above comments. People, my self included, are tired of waiting 2+ years for the next season of shows from ALL streaming services! The interest drops off. I wonder if Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet miss going barefoot, sunny skies and their Montecito home?
How can a show flop if someone they didn’t want in it is not actually in it? What nonsense.They totally used Meghan. I got halfway through season one then lost interest because the show is ridiculous and cartoonishly bad. If Meghan was actually in this show, the ratings would be a lot higher. Whatever.
I watched all of season 1 and maybe three episodes of season 2. Just too violent.
They would be lucky to have Meghan, who will never dignify this mess. Guy Ritchie thinks he’s the Ralph Lauren of England, showing us how it’s done, from tweeds to guns. 🙄 I do like Theo James for Bond, though, and there’s a wink-wink Bond reference in one scene.
We enjoyed the first several episodes of season 1 but the characters quickly became less likeable and the storyline headed in a direction I didn’t care to follow. I don’t mind dark and grim if it’s balanced with a bit of lightness and humor. This series lost that. We quit watching.
Ratings are low because right into the new season it feels like a darker, heavier show than the first season. They took it down a more sinister road and the viewers weren’t wanting for it so they checked out. That’s all. Ultimately the season is satisfying, it’s just not as exciting or punchy as the first. Sometimes Ritchie is classic Ritchie and sometimes he’s darker. The deeper, darker stuff doesn’t always land, but he can remix it again in S3. The ratings have f** all to do with Meg.
The reverse Midas touch.