Accusations and Waning Trust? - Prince Harry and Meghan's Netflix deal hangs by a thread amid frustration
The partnership between Prince Harry, Duchess Meghan, and Netflix is facing uncertainty after five and a half years. Reports suggest growing frustration within the streaming giant over the couple's output and working style. With few projects completed and modest success, the future of their deal remains unclear.
Since signing with Netflix in 2020, Archewell Productions has delivered only a handful of projects. These include the 2022 docuseries Harry & Meghan and The Me You Can't See in 2021. Compared to high-profile deals like Oprah Winfrey's with Apple TV+ or Shonda Rhimes' with Netflix—both producing multiple hits—Archewell's output has been limited. Viewership figures for their content have also fallen short of expectations, raising questions about the deal's profitability.
Netflix insiders have reportedly expressed irritation with the couple's approach in meetings. Meghan has faced criticism for interrupting Harry or rephrasing his ideas. There have also been complaints about her abruptly leaving Zoom calls. CEO Ted Sarandos allegedly joked about only taking her calls if a lawyer was present, though Netflix denies the claim.
The couple's focus on Meghan's lifestyle brand, As Ever, has also struggled. Netflix now holds around $10 million worth of unsold products tied to the brand and has reportedly abandoned further efforts. Industry sources suggest filmmakers and agents are distancing themselves from Archewell, showing little interest in future collaborations.
With their exclusive deal set to expire in August 2025, Netflix is expected to shift to a less restrictive 'first-look' agreement. Two film projects—Meet Me at the Lake and The Wedding Date—remain in development, but progress has been slow. Some insiders believe Netflix has already exhausted the public's interest in the Sussexes' royal past, leaving little room for new content.
The Sussexes' Netflix partnership now stands at a crossroads. If the deal is not renewed, their future in streaming will depend on securing new opportunities elsewhere. For now, the couple's production company faces an uphill battle to prove its value in an increasingly competitive industry.
