The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have signed a fresh multi-year film and television deal with Netflix, contradicting earlier reports that the streaming giant would not renew their contract. The couple originally struck a five-year deal in 2020, reportedly worth $100 million (£78 million), after stepping back from senior royal duties.
The new agreement, described as a “multi-year, first look deal for film and television projects,” covers content produced by their company, Archewell Productions. The terms were not disclosed. Meghan Markle said: “We’re proud to extend our partnership with Netflix and expand our work together to include the As Ever brand.”
Recent projects include Meghan’s lifestyle series With Love, Meghan, which failed to break into Netflix’s top 300 shows in the first half of this year, and Prince Harry’s documentary Polo, which ranked 3,346 out of 7,000 shows. Despite modest viewership, Netflix has committed to a second season of With Love, Meghan later this month and a Christmas special in December.
Archewell Productions is also working on Masaka Kids, A Rhythm Within, a documentary about orphaned children in Uganda affected by the HIV/Aids crisis. Other projects in active development include a feature adaptation of Carley Fortune’s bestselling novel Meet Me At The Lake.
The deal follows the end of the couple’s $20 million podcast partnership with Spotify in 2023 after only 12 episodes. Spotify executive Bill Simmons labelled the pair “grifters” after the split. Meanwhile, Prince Harry stepped down from his charity Sentebale in March due to a boardroom dispute and is reportedly considering setting up a new charitable organisation in the region.
