The five-year, $100m deal that Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, signed with Netflix in 2021 was expected to yield a stream of prestige content in the manner of Barack and Michelle Obama's production company. However, according to a recent analysis, the couple have struggled to deliver on that promise, with their latest show, With Love, Meghan, potentially being their final production for the streaming giant.
The project, described as a lifestyle series, is the fourth to be released under their Archewell banner and the third consecutive disappointment. Last year's Polo documentary, which focused on the equestrian sport, failed to engage audiences, lacking the presence of Prince Harry and being seen as lacking purpose. Prior to that, Heart of Invictus, released in 2023, also had limited appeal. Their podcast Archetypes, which ran for 12 episodes in 2022, was the only output from a separate $20m deal with Spotify.
The sole success for the couple, according to the article, has been their 2022 docuseries Harry & Meghan, which generated significant attention through its revelations and grievances about the royal family. The programme, along with other ventures such as the Oprah interview and Prince Harry's memoir Spare, tapped into public interest in the couple's personal story, a formula that later projects have not replicated.
With Love, Meghan, which features the Duchess engaging in activities such as making decorative crostini with Mindy Kaling and filling party bags with seeds and manuka honey, has been described as lacking the drama that defined Harry & Meghan. The source also notes a Vanity Fair report that Meghan recently pitched a book about divorce despite not being divorced, suggesting a continued desire for attention that may not align with audience expectations.
There are rumours that Netflix may not cut ties entirely but could retain the Sussexes at a significantly reduced fee. This could allow for previously announced projects, such as an adaptation of the novel Meet Me at the Lake and possibly the shelved animation Pearl, to proceed. However, if With Love, Meghan fails to attract viewers, it may mark the end of the couple's high-profile partnership with the streaming platform.
