Meghan Markle bids adieu to 'Archetypes' podcast, withdraws trademark request

Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, gave up on her podcasting dream by finally deciding to put an end to her defunct Spotify podcast titled 'Archetypes'. The saga came to an end months after the music streaming platform dropped the one-season audio show. 

On Thursday, she filed an application to withdraw her trademark bid that initially aimed to earn the rights of the title. The request was submitted to the US Patent and Trademark Office, the New York Post reported citing the office's records. Markle's decision to finally pull the plug comes after her multi-million dollar deal with Spotify collapsed in June. 

After the deal was called off, Archetypes failed to get renewed for a second season. Earlier, the podcast won a People’s Choice Award and hosted several prominent guests including actor Mindy Kaling and former tennis player Serena Williams. The deal was said to have been dissolved due to Markle and her husband Prince Harry's laid-back attitude. 

At the time, Spotify’s Head of Global Sports Strategy Bill Simmons referred to the royal pair as  “f–king grifters” and “lazy.” Another anonymous insider claimed that the company perceived the couple as “difficult.” Furthermore, the deal was scrapped after Markle failed to produce the amount of content that was mandated in the $20 million deal signed in 2020.

Markle to revisit her acting career? 

In June, Spotify and the Sussexes' audio production company Archewell Audio announced that they had “mutually agreed to part ways and are proud of the series we made together.” Amidst this, speculations have emerged that Markle could soon return to the acting career she abandoned after marrying the prince in 2018. 

Previously, the 42-year-old starred as Rachel Zane in the American television drama 'Suits'. Sources have now claimed that Markle could return to the spotlight. Speaking to InTouchWeekly, the anonymous source said that the Duchess feels "pressure to stay on top" but is "biting the bullet" to make her acting comeback. "With other opportunities drying up, Meghan is now planning an acting comeback. And Harry is supporting her 100 per cent," they added.