However, it is important to note that the show has not yet received the green light, and its existence at this point reeks of desperation.
Currently, there is a writer's strike in Hollywood, and if the actors' strike follows next month, the entire industry could face a shutdown. True content producers and creators are already experiencing the consequences, with their shows being pulled from streaming services.
These shows have proven to be more costly to maintain on the platforms than they generate in terms of viewership or subscribers. This situation has become a burden, both financially and logistically.
The "Great Expectations" spin-off show, which is yet to be greenlit, is expected to face difficulties. By the time it sees the light of day, which will likely be in late 2024, their Netflix contract will also be up for renewal. The success of their previous show, "Heart of Invictus," will play a crucial role in their chances of contract renewal. They need it to perform significantly better than their previous endeavor, "Live to Lead," if they hope to secure a contract renewal.
However, the timing of "Heart of Invictus" is less than ideal, as it is set to air in August or possibly September, coinciding with the actual games taking place in Dusseldorf, Germany. This timing might prove challenging, considering many people are on holiday during that period.
To complicate matters further, there are several other concerns that Netflix and other streaming platforms are currently grappling with. These concerns include maintaining or increasing subscriber numbers, managing production costs and budgets, and ensuring debt and profit margins are effectively handled. Even if Harry and Meghan manage to secure a contract renewal, it is unlikely to come close to the original $100 million deal they initially signed. The terms and conditions will be vastly different from what they enjoyed five years ago. Streaming giants like Netflix now have a better understanding of what it means to have a working relationship with the couple.
Moreover, the current public perception of Harry and Meghan is marred by negative publicity. There is a considerable amount of unfavorable buzz surrounding them, making it even more doubtful that Netflix will renew their relationship. Industry insiders suggest that the talk about a "Miss Havisham" prequel might be more about generating interest and securing deals with Netflix first. If rejected by Netflix, they could then explore other streaming services. This strategy is similar to what happened with the statement made about a second season of "Archetypes" two weeks ago, and the statement about "Pearl" in May 2022, approximately a year ago.
It will be intriguing to discover the actual value of Harry and Meghan's deal with Netflix. As far as I remember, it was rumored to be up to $100 million over five years. Considering their recent projects, "Pearl" has already been released, leaving $80 million. "Live to Lead" did not perform well, and it's unlikely to have been a substantial financial investment for Netflix. The voiceover work for the show also wouldn't have commanded a significant payment. However, "Heart of Invictus" likely incurred substantial costs, estimated to be around $5 to $10 million. Nevertheless, they certainly didn't receive $70 million for the mockumentary. It seems that all the talk about their new Netflix projects might be nothing more than an attempt to negotiate better terms within the existing deal.
If we divide the $100 million over five years and assume that they only needed to produce one content series per year, it would amount to $20 million per year. Perhaps they received $20 million for their mockumentary, but the earnings from the voiceover work for "Live to Lead" were likely negligible. It's important to note that "Live to Lead" was more of a collaboration with the Mandela Foundation, making it a relatively inexpensive documentary that simply needed to be marketed effectively. By the time it was streamed, the documentary was already four years old, having been produced in 2019. The Sussexes were already two years into their contract at that point, with little to show for it.
Considering all these factors, it's becoming increasingly doubtful whether Harry and Meghan's relationship with Netflix will be renewed. The industry buzz suggests that Netflix is leaning towards severing ties with the couple. The rumors about a "Miss Havisham" prequel might merely serve as a tactic to secure a better deal or to attract interest from other streaming services. In any case, it will be interesting to see how the situation unfolds, especially given the discrepancies between expectations and reality in their Netflix journey.
Have Gotten $40 Million in Total for Their Mockumentary and "Live to Lead"
Especially when the latter sank without a trace. However, "Live to Lead" did serve a purpose—it tested the staying power of the Sussexes with Netflix viewers, beyond their royal associations and gossip. Unfortunately, it revealed that they didn't have much appeal outside of their royal lives. Otherwise, the Mandela-sanctioned documentary would have fared better.
Considering this, I doubt they received more than $20 million out of the $100 million deal. "Pearl" might have been the third content series they had planned, alongside the mockumentary and "Heart of Invictus," with "Live to Lead" being the fourth.
Despite everything, "Heart of Invictus" will be a better and fairer test for Harry's brand and its ability to resonate in the entertainment market. It is directly linked to him and will reveal whether he and his brand have much to offer beyond royal life. If it gains traction, we can safely say that people are genuinely interested in him, regardless of his royal background.
If it fails to capture attention, he will essentially become just another person trying to make a living, struggling to maintain the millionaire lifestyle he has become accustomed to. Furthermore, if people aren't interested in Meghan outside of her royal life, she will have much less going for her, regardless of the efforts made by WME (William Morris Endeavor) to spin her brand.
Even if Netflix approves this idea, it begs the question of what exactly Meghan and Harry would contribute to the production of the show. They lack experience or skills as content creators, producers, or scriptwriters. My guess is that Archewell, their organization, would oversee the production and hire actual content producers to handle the creative work.
The only value Meghan and Harry can offer here is that the show would be loosely associated with their names. But why would Netflix invest millions in such content? What commercial value does it hold? I suspect Netflix initially signed the deal to secure the Harry and Meghan documentary, which garnered attention. Now, they might keep them around for a while before eventually parting ways.
One commenter astutely pointed out that not only do the Sussexes lack talent for writing or producing, but they also tend to interfere with the people they hire to do the work. Twelve episodes of a basic podcast shouldn't require 18 producers. Furthermore, the first director of their reality show quit. This realization suggests that the Sussexes have little to offer Netflix that the streaming giant couldn't do for itself without unnecessary complications and drama.
My prediction is that Netflix will drop them in November. "Harry" will air, and people will watch it because it's the only project they've been involved in that isn't solely about themselves. However, six weeks after its initial buzz on Netflix, the company will announce a new direction in content, expressing pride in the work produced during the partnership. Yet, the contract will not be renewed, and no further projects will be produced for the remainder of the agreement.
