Thomas Markle Critiques Meghan’s Netflix Series, Accuses Her of Inauthenticity

Thomas Markle Critiques Meghan’s Netflix Series, Accuses Her of Inauthenticity

Thomas Markle, the estranged father of Meghan Markle, has voiced significant criticism regarding his daughter’s Netflix series titled “With Love, Meghan.” He claims that Meghan is not being genuine in her portrayals and asserts that she employs crafted facial expressions to seem relatable to viewers.

The 80-year-old former lighting director expressed his disapproval during an interview, stating, “Unfortunately, Meghan has never been authentic. She has to think about everything. She’s not spontaneous. Everything she says is pre-planned and rehearsed. It makes me laugh because I know all her looks and expressions.”

Markle specifically pointed out that he observes when she is trying to act for the cameras. He remarked, “I know when she’s faking it for the cameras. She’s trying so hard to be perfect that she tenses up every time the camera is on her.” These assertions come from someone with extensive experience in the film industry, having previously worked on prominent shows such as “Married… with Children” and “General Hospital.”

Authenticity in Entertainment

Reflecting on his time in the television industry, Thomas noted that presenters need to be authentic in order to keep audiences engaged. He stated, “You have to be authentic to hold people’s attention. The best cooks are funny, they mess up, they are human. She just wants to be perfect. It’s sad because she’s trying so hard to stay in the limelight.”

In her series, Meghan describes her childhood as a “latchkey kid” who experienced a diet of fast food and TV dinners. In response, Thomas contended that financial struggles were not a characteristic of their upbringing, saying, “We occasionally ate TV dinners, which family doesn’t? We would eat out at least three times a week and order in the rest of the time.”

Family Dynamics and Childhood Recollections

He further detailed, “Like any single father who did a long day’s work, I’d occasionally put a TV dinner in the microwave. But most of the time we’d go out. After school, I would either pick her up myself, and we’d go out to eat, or I’d send a car to bring her to the set. She grew up on the sets I worked on. She was never a latchkey kid.”

Thomas believes that Meghan lacked interest in cooking during her upbringing, noting that their family lived in a desirable area filled with restaurants. He added, “We lived in a great area, which was packed with restaurants. We ate out all the time. At weekends when I wasn’t working, I’d take her to a dance class and then invite her and all her friends out for a meal.”

On Identity and Family Names

Meghan indicated in her series that she now prefers to share the surname “Sussex” with her husband and their children. In response to this shift, Thomas expressed disappointment, stating that his mother would have wanted Meghan to continue using the Markle name. He remarked, “My mother was proud to be a Markle – so am I. Meghan never had a problem with the Markle name until she met Prince Harry.”

He added, vividly highlighting his sarcasm, “Now, I have to say, ‘I am Meghan Sussex’s dad,’ with bitter sarcasm.”

Reflections on Their Relationship

Despite his critical views on Meghan’s Netflix portrayal, Thomas admitted that he has not watched the full series. He has only seen clips, finding it too painful to engage fully. “I might sit down and watch it one day, but I’m not sure,” he noted.

Thomas described the anguish he feels regarding his relationship with Meghan, explaining that he was cut off by her on the eve of her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry. He revealed that health issues, including two heart attacks, prevented him from attending the ceremony, which added to the complexity of their relationship. He suggested that Meghan harbors grudges against him, saying, “I still don’t know why she dumped me.”

The Aftermath of a Divided Family

The estranged father relocated to the Philippines earlier this year from Mexico. His criticism follows a series of public disputes between him and Meghan, including her striking remarks during a 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey. In that interview, Meghan claimed she understood that her father was staging paparazzi photos that were intended to manipulate public interest.

She recounted, “We called my dad, and I asked him [about staging the photos]. He said, ‘No, absolutely not.’ I just need you to tell me the truth, and he wasn’t able to do that.” Meghan described the situation as a painful experience for her as a mother, failing to understand how one could intentionally cause harm to their child.

Samantha Markle, Meghan’s half-sister, took responsibility for arranging the staged photos that cast Thomas in a negative light. This family turmoil has led to extended legal battles, including Meghan’s successful lawsuit against the Mail on Sunday for publishing parts of a personal letter she wrote to her father.

Looking To The Future

Meghan and Prince Harry announced their departure from royal duties in early 2020, citing the relentless intrusions from the media and instances of racial discrimination as primary factors for their decision. The couple established their residence in California, where they now care for their two young children.

The series “With Love, Meghan” is set to return for a second season in the fall, inviting viewers to witness the continued saga of the Duchess of Sussex.