Author Carley Fortune has confirmed that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Netflix film adaptation of her novel 'Meet Me at the Lake' is still in development, despite earlier uncertainty about the project's status. The Duchess of Sussex acquired the rights to the novel in 2023 for an estimated $2.9 million through Archewell Productions.
Author Confirms Ongoing Collaboration with Archewell
In an interview with Jenna Bush Hager on the podcast 'Open Book with Jenna,' Fortune revealed she is actively working with the royal couple on the film adaptation. She said she signed over the film rights to Archewell after a "really good, long call" with Meghan and Archewell film producer Tracy Ryerson.
Fortune explained: "I felt like they really understood the story and what mattered about the story. It's a romance, but it's very much about a mother and daughter, too, and we talked a lot about parenthood, and also about how these love stories are about so much more." She added, "It's a story about grief, it's a story about mental health, and so I felt like it was in good hands with them."
Project Status and Future Plans
The project remains in development, with work still ongoing on the script. Neither Harry nor Meghan have made recent public comments about the film. The adaptation was initially announced in 2023 as part of the Sussexes' first-look deal with Netflix, which replaced their earlier, more expansive contract signed after stepping back from royal duties in 2020.
Fortune's novel 'Meet Me at the Lake' is a romance that explores themes of grief, mental health, and family relationships. The confirmation from the author provides clarity on a project that had been described as "stuck in limbo" amid speculation about the couple's evolving partnership with the streaming giant.
