Newly released documents have exposed the salaries of staff working on Meghan Markle's Netflix projects under Archewell Productions, revealing stark pay disparities that have ignited controversy.
The filings show that some junior employees earned as little as £50,000 annually, while senior executives took home six-figure sums. This has raised questions about fair compensation in the entertainment sector, particularly given the Duchess of Sussex's vocal advocacy for gender and racial equality.
Key Revelations from the Filings
- Junior production assistants earned between £50,000-£60,000 per year
- Mid-level managers received £80,000-£100,000 annually
- Senior executives were paid upwards of £150,000
- The highest-paid staff member earned over £200,000
Industry experts note these figures are typical for Hollywood productions but appear contradictory to Meghan's public stance on workplace equity. The revelations come as Archewell Productions faces scrutiny over its output following the cancellation of the animated series Pearl.
Public Reaction and Industry Response
The wage details have sparked heated debate on social media, with critics accusing the Duchess of hypocrisy. Meanwhile, entertainment unions have used this opportunity to highlight broader issues of pay inequality across streaming platforms.
Netflix declined to comment specifically on Archewell's payroll, but a spokesperson stated: "We're committed to fair compensation across all our productions and regularly review our pay structures."
This disclosure follows Netflix's recent announcement of restructuring its unscripted content division, which has led to significant layoffs across multiple productions.
