Prince Harry reportedly upset Netflix executives following the release of his candid autobiography, which some insiders say threatened to overshadow the streaming giant’s flagship projects involving the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
In 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle signed a blockbuster £75 million deal with Netflix shortly after stepping back from royal duties. The agreement, originally set to last until 2025, included multiple projects aimed at sharing their story and expanding their production company, Archewell Productions.
Their first major Netflix collaboration, the documentary Harry & Meghan, premiered in December 2022 and attracted massive viewership. However, the timing of Prince Harry’s memoir release in January 2023 sparked concerns at Netflix that it might distract attention from their flagship project.
While the documentary was well-received, the Sussexes’ subsequent ventures have struggled to maintain the same level of impact. According to a source speaking to the Daily Mail, Netflix now views the original £75 million deal as an “expensive failure.”
On Monday, the couple and Netflix announced a renewed multi-year partnership. However, insiders reveal this new agreement is worth only a fraction of the original deal.
“It’s not much,” an insider told Page Six. “It’s no risk for Netflix but saves them both reputationally.”
In a statement about the extended deal, Meghan Markle expressed optimism: “We’re proud to extend our partnership with Netflix and expand our work together to include the As Ever brand. My husband and I feel inspired by our partners who work closely with us and our Archewell Productions team to create thoughtful content across genres that resonates globally and celebrates our shared vision.”
