It appears that Netflix is preparing to part ways with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Despite initial excitement surrounding their collaboration, industry insiders suggest that the streaming service is unlikely to renew its $100 million deal with the couple, which was established back in 2020.
Reports from Matthew Bologna and Leslie Goldberg indicate that what began as a promising partnership has turned into one of Hollywood’s more significant letdowns.
When Netflix first signed on with Harry and Meghan’s production company, Artool, there was considerable buzz.
Their 2022 documentary series, “Harry and Meghan,” garnered attention for its candid portrayal of their tumultuous exit from the British royal family.
Viewers were eager for behind-the-scenes insights and juicy revelations about palace life, making the docu-series a notable success.
However, the couple’s subsequent projects have not fared as well.
Bologna and Goldberg highlight that none of their new endeavors have struck a chord with audiences.
Meghan’s animated children’s show, “Pearl,” for instance, was scrapped before it could even take flight, signaling trouble ahead for the couple’s media ambitions.
With Meghan’s cooking show and Harry’s polo series reportedly in the pipeline, expectations remain low.
Insiders are doubtful that these upcoming projects will resonate with viewers in the same way their earlier docu-series did.
If Netflix decides to sever ties with the Sussexes, it would mark another setback for their aspirations to become influential figures in the media world.
Earlier this year, Spotify also ended its partnership with the couple due to a disappointingly low output.
The Sussexes had secured a $20 million deal to produce podcasts but only managed to deliver a mere 12 episodes of “Archetypes.”
The podcast’s lack of content and tepid audience reception ultimately led to the swift conclusion of their collaboration.
Rumors are swirling that Harry and Meghan’s perceived difficulties in the industry may be linked to their challenging reputations.
Reports suggest they have become tough to work with, and their relative inexperience in media production might be hindering their success.
The Puck newsletter has even included their Netflix deal among the worst in Hollywood’s peak TV era, noting their failure to meet expectations.
Interestingly, they are not alone in this predicament.
High-profile creators like J.J. Abrams, David Benioff, and D.B.
Weiss, known for “Game of Thrones,” along with Seth MacFarlane and David DuVernay, have also struggled to fulfill their lucrative contracts.
Even Barack and Michelle Obama’s production company, Higher Ground, has faced scrutiny for its slow output despite being a key supplier of content for Netflix.
As for Harry and Meghan’s future with the streaming giant, uncertainty looms large.
Recent reports indicate that Meghan’s cooking show may not debut until spring 2025, despite filming having wrapped in Los Angeles and Montecito.
This delay, coupled with the timing of the show’s release alongside Meghan’s new luxury lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, raises further doubts about their ongoing relevance.
The rollout of both the cooking show and the lifestyle brand has encountered its share of challenges.
Meghan’s team has dealt with setbacks, including complications in trademark applications for American Riviera Orchard.
The U.S.
Patents and Trademarks Office has informed her legal team that securing trademarks could take as long as 14 months.
Meanwhile, public interest in Meghan’s latest venture seems to be waning, prompting questions about whether the couple can still capture the spotlight they once enjoyed.
As they navigate the intricacies of their post-royal lives, it’s becoming increasingly clear that their Hollywood dreams may be slipping away.
With Netflix seemingly poised to move on, Harry and Meghan may find themselves grappling with the reality of diminished media presence.
The once high-flying couple now faces the challenge of maintaining their relevance in a landscape that appears to be shifting beneath them.
