Potential Concessions from Meghan Markle in Bid for Royal Family's Netflix Approval?
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Extend Their Netflix Deal
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have extended their multiyear, first-look content deal with Netflix through their production company, Archewell Productions. This deal grants Netflix the first opportunity to consider their film and television projects, but if Netflix passes, Harry and Meghan can offer those projects to other companies [1][2][3].
Their content with Netflix has been diverse, encompassing documentaries, series, and children's specials that touch on their personal lives and experiences. The 2022 docuseries "Harry & Meghan," which offers an intimate view of their relationship and their decision to step back from senior royal roles, became Netflix’s most popular documentary series [2][3].
The nature of their Netflix content often involves their relationship with the Royal Family, primarily through the documentary "Harry & Meghan," which chronicles their journey from falling in love to stepping away from royal duties. However, their projects range beyond this, extending to scripted series, documentaries, and lifestyle content [2][3].
The most recent deal also includes work on their lifestyle brand, As Ever, alongside new film and TV projects like the second season of "With Love, Meghan" [1][2][3].
While the deal may offer opportunities to explore their relationship with the Royal Family, it does not obligate the Sussexes to produce content related to the Royal Family exclusively. In fact, the expert's comments suggest that the deal may be more focused on exploiting their connection to the Royal Family, rather than supporting their creative endeavors. The deal may be more interested in content that is likely to be controversial or scandalous, rather than content that is more family-friendly or uplifting [1][2][3].
Journalist Esther Craichu describes the Sussexes' deal as a "retainer," a contract for potential future work, not a commitment to deliver specific content. This means Netflix has the option to consider any content proposed by the Sussexes that does not involve their "whole kind of sermonising about how to save the world" [1][2][3].
In summary, their Netflix deal lets them produce and distribute content that often delves into their personal story, including their complex relationship with the Royal Family, while also expanding into broader creative and lifestyle projects [1][2][3]. The retainer does not obligate the Sussexes to produce content related to the Royal Family exclusively, offering them flexibility in the types of content they can produce.
The extended Netflix deal for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle enables them to present diverse film and television projects, potentially showcasing an inside look at their relationship with celebrities and the Royal Family. Despite their deal possibly emphasizing controversial or scandalous content, their agreement with Netflix allows them to delve into various aspects of their lives and experiences beyond just their connection to the Royal Family.
