Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are developing two new shows for Netflix, despite the underwhelming performance of their "Heart of Invictus" documentary last summer.
According to their statement, the first series, created by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, will celebrate cooking, gardening, entertaining, and friendship. Analysts speculate that this program will tie into Meghan's new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard.
The second series promises unprecedented access to the world of professional polo, primarily shot at the US Open Polo Championship in Wellington, Florida. This series aims to showcase the sport beyond its aesthetic and social scene, capturing the dedication required to compete at the highest levels. This project is reported to focus on Harry, who has been passionate about polo since his teenage years.
Both shows are currently in early production stages, with titles and release dates to be announced in the coming months. A Hollywood insider suggests that Meghan's series might premiere around Thanksgiving or Christmas to attract holiday viewers. However, a blind item on DeuxMoi hints that Netflix is not impressed with the current offerings from Harry and Meghan, criticizing them for being more focused on their PR narrative than producing quality content.
Rumors suggest that Meghan tried to leverage the launch of American Riviera Orchard to pressure Netflix into picking up her show, using PR stunts similar to tactics previously employed to influence the royal family. There are claims that Netflix may have already dropped the couple, trying to save face after being misled, which has tarnished the streaming giant's reputation.
A new report indicates waning interest from Netflix in Harry and Meghan, with speculation that their $100 million content partnership might be terminated. Royal insider Richard Fitzwilliams notes that public appetite for the couple's stories has diminished after their contentious series, which nonetheless broke streaming records and won several Emmy Awards.
The Daily Mail reports that their current arrangement with Netflix is set to expire next year, coinciding with the end of Netflix's production of "The Crown." This could signal a reduced interest in further projects from the Sussexes. Meghan's lifestyle series and Harry's polo documentary show their attempt to stay relevant, but they lack the high-profile endorsements needed to guarantee success.
Moreover, Netflix has recently appointed Dan Lin to oversee film production, following backlash over several big-budget yet poorly received original movies. Lin's mandate to create fewer, better-quality projects at lower costs could be a setback for Harry and Meghan, as the era of Netflix's generous budgets appears to be over.
