Meghan Markle's pal gives frank verdict on what starring on Netflix show was really like

Actress Mindy Kaling, who appears in the trailer for Meghan Markle's new Netflix show With Love, Meghan, has revealed exactly what it was like filming the cookery series - and why she agreed to appear in it

A pal of Meghan Markle's has given her frank verdict on what appearing on the Duchess's new show was really like.

Actress Mindy Kaling, star of The Mindy Project, appears in the trailer for the upcoming series With Love, Meghan, which premieres on Netflix on January 15. The eight-part series sees Meghan inviting friends and famous guests to a California estate, where she shares cooking, gardening and hosting tips.

The trailer has faced scrutiny after it emerged that the show was not filmed at Meghan's own home, while it comes off the back of other Netflix shows produced by the Sussexes such as Polo, which appears to have not had the success they may have hoped.

But appearing at the Golden Globes, Mindy was asked about how she ended up in Meghan's new show. She revealed she had just given birth two months prior and explained: "She [Meghan] texted me and was like, 'Do you want to be in my show?'"

Mindy also gushed about the perks of spending time with Meghan, saying, "And when you hang out with Meghan, you know the food is going to be good." She gave an honest verdict as she said: "It's just nice to have someone else cook for me." She then added: "So I was like, 'Yeah I'll go to Montecito and you cook for me and go to your garden. And that's what we did."

A promotional synopsis of the show says: "This inspiring series, produced by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, reimagines the genre of lifestyle programming, blending practical how-tos and candid conversation with friends, new and old.

"Meghan shares personal tips and tricks, embracing playfulness over perfection and highlights how easy it can be to create beauty, even in the unexpected. She and her guests roll up their sleeves in the kitchen, the garden, and beyond, and invite you to do the same."

Former Suits star Abigail Spencer, plus chefs Roy Choi and Alice Waters are also among the guests who appear on the 33-minute shows. Harry and Meghan’s Archewell Productions helped to make the series and she also gets a credit as one of its executive producers. The couple have a multimillion-pound deal with streaming giant Netflix.

Polo, released last month, was the Sussexes' first Netflix show since Heart Of Invictus, which aired some 16 months earlier and followed a group of service members on their road to the Invictus Games, the Paralympic-style sporting competition set up by Harry in 2014 for injured and sick military personnel and veterans.

It followed Live To Lead, about leaders who have dedicated themselves to social justice, in 2022, and before that, the couple’s controversial six-part Harry & Meghan documentary.