Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, the Duchess and Duke of Sussex, had seen their company Archewell Productions work with Netflix to produce various programmes, such as With Love, Meghan
Netflix is said to be “done” with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.
The Duchess and Duke of Sussex’s company, Archewell Productions, had worked with the streaming giant for years to produce programmes, including With Love, Meghan. However, the second series of this flopped with viewing figures plunging, and now chances of a third series are extremely slim following Netflix’s apparent decision.
Regarding the vibe with Harry and Meghan, a Netflix insider said: “The mood in the building is ‘We’re done’.” Sources close to Harry and Meghan, who quit royal duties for a new life in the US in 2020, say the union between the couple and the streamer recently “has been far from a fairy tale”.
But Bela Bajaria, Netflix’s chief content officer, had said the organisation has “really enjoyed working with Harry and Meghan” since it struck a deal with Archewell Productions in September 2020. That deal was a five-year agreement, which expired in 2025 and now it seems prospects of a resurrection are unlikely.
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A scathing analysis in Variety magazine takes aim at Harry and Meghan. The magazine says: “Variety spoke to six well-placed individuals with knowledge of Netflix and the Sussexes, who say the union between Meghan, Harry and the streamer has been far from a fairy tale.
“The Sussexes’ perceived pattern of selling repackaged versions of the same story about their exit from royal life has exhausted Netflix. Their partnership may continue to taper off, and with it will Meghan and Harry’s remaining show business lifeline.
“Their bedside manner has ruffled feathers in meetings, and lackluster ratings for shows like With Love, Meghan have led to doubts that e-commerce is the best way for Netflix to stay in business with the couple (a Netflix insider says the ratings for With Love are ‘on par with other lifestyle series’).”
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The reported end of the Netflix union has left the Duke and Duchess of Sussex looking for new avenues. They are, for instance, planning a major charm offensive next month with their “make or break” trip Down Under, seven years after they travelled there on their first overseas tour as a married royal couple. Meghan continues to make and sell her As Ever products, as featured in the Netflix shows.
Ms Bajaria, of Netflix, said: “Archewell has been a thoughtful and collaborative partner and we’ve really enjoyed working with Harry and Meghan. They’re deeply engaged in the storytelling process and bring a unique, global perspective that aligns with the kinds of impactful projects our members respond to.”
