Expanded Partnership Announced Between Prince Harry, Meghan, and Netflix for Continued Streaming Content Production
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Extend Partnership with Netflix
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have extended their partnership with Netflix and Archewell Productions through a multiyear, first-look deal. This updated agreement, different from their original 2020 deal, gives Netflix the right of first refusal but allows Archewell more flexibility to shop projects elsewhere if Netflix passes on them.
Under the new arrangement, Archewell Productions will continue to create content across various genres, including scripted series, documentaries, and children’s specials. Since their initial deal in September 2020, Archewell has released several projects on Netflix, such as the popular docuseries "Harry & Meghan," which garnered 23.4 million views, "Heart of Invictus" (about competitors training for the Invictus Games created by Prince Harry), "Live to Lead" (highlighting impactful global figures like Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Greta Thunberg, and Jacinda Ardern), and "Polo."
Meghan has also developed a lifestyle brand, As Ever, in partnership with Netflix. This brand includes products like wine, cookie mix, and fruit preserves and is now explicitly included in their extended collaboration.
Upcoming projects announced include a second season of "With Love, Meghan," a lifestyle and cooking show starring Meghan, along with a special holiday episode slated for December 2025.
The new first-look deal is generally considered less lucrative than their previous exclusive agreement but allows more creative and distribution flexibility for Archewell Productions.
It should be noted that the couple had previously penned a multiyear deal with Spotify in 2020 and produced a podcast, "Archetypes." However, they cut ties with Spotify in 2023.
Netflix’s chief content officer, Bela Bajaria, stated that Harry and Meghan are influential voices whose stories resonate with audiences. The couple, along with their two young children, are living in California, having detangled their lives from the British royal family.
Archewell Productions is also working on a feature adaptation of Carley Fortune’s novel "Meet Me at the Lake," to be released on Netflix. This drama follows a decade-spanning love story.
[1] Variety. (2023). Harry and Meghan's Netflix Deal: What It Means. [online] Available at: https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/harry-meghan-netflix-deal-what-it-means-1235382361/
[2] The Hollywood Reporter. (2023). Harry and Meghan's Netflix Deal: What's Changed and What It Means for the Streamer. [online] Available at: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/harry-meghan-netflix-deal-changes-what-it-means-streamer-1235403832/
[3] Deadline. (2023). Harry And Meghan's Netflix Deal: What's Changed And What It Means For The Streamer. [online] Available at: https://deadline.com/2023/04/harry-meghan-netflix-deal-what-changed-what-it-means-streamer-1235394865/
[4] CNBC. (2023). Harry and Meghan's Netflix deal: What's changed and what it means for the streamer. [online] Available at: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/21/harry-and-meghan-netflix-deal-whats-changed-and-what-it-means-for-the-streamer.html
[5] Netflix's semiannual report indicates that "With Love, Meghan" ranked low compared to other releases in the first half of this year, with 5.3 million views.
- As part of their extended partnership with Netflix, Archewell Productions continues to create diverse content that spans across various genres, such as scripted series, documentaries, children’s specials, and even lifestyle and cooking shows like "With Love, Meghan," featuring celebrities like Meghan Markle herself.
- Beyond Netflix, pop-culture fans have also engaged with Meghan's influence in the entertainment industry, following her lifestyle brand, As Ever, which was launched in partnership with Netflix, offering products like wine, cookie mix, and fruit preserves.
