The future of the couple's reported $150 million deal with Netflix is now in jeopardy, causing despair and uncertainty for the Duke and Duchess.
Now, let's dive into the details. In a statement released amid swelling speculation, Netflix confirmed that they are currently developing several projects with Archewell Productions, the content creation company of Harry and Meghan.
The streaming giant acknowledged the success of the documentary series "Harry and Meghan," which became Netflix's biggest documentary debut ever. They also mentioned their collaboration on the upcoming documentary series "Heart of Invictus."
But it's not all sunshine and rainbows for the Sussexes. Earlier this month, their partnership with Spotify, worth around $29 million, was sensationally terminated after the release of just one 12-episode podcast series, "Archewell Audio," and a one-off holiday special.
Reports emerged that Spotify staff labeled Harry and Meghan as lazy, with one executive even publicly calling them "grifters."
In a surprising turn of events, Harry and Meghan have been instructed to deliver more must-watch shows for Netflix to receive the remainder of their staggering contract. While the streaming platform seems satisfied with the viewing figures for their explosive documentary series "Harry and Meghan," the couple now faces the challenge of producing more compelling content to collect the second $75 million payment.
Unfortunately, their production company, Archewell, has faced setbacks. Meghan's animated series about women in history, "Pearl," was axed before it could take flight, and several other pitches were rejected by Netflix. The Wall Street Journal revealed some of the rejected ideas, including an "Emily in Paris" style series with a male lead and a show featuring LGBTQ characters similar to those in "Heartstopper."
However, they do have a series in production, a prequel to Charles Dickens's "Great Expectations" called "Bad Manners," which retells the story of a lonely Miss Havisham in a patriarchal society.
According to insiders, there is a less friendly attitude towards the Sussexes' deal from some at the top of the streaming service. Their perception is that the lemon has been fully squeezed, and the big bucks that Harry and Meghan signed up for no longer exist in the current landscape.
The industry is evolving, and the couple must adapt to the changing demands and expectations if they want to salvage their standing. It's a sobering realization for Harry and Meghan as the industry they thought would embrace them wholeheartedly now presents unexpected hurdles and challenges.
The crisis is real, and the couple finds themselves at a crossroads, fighting to prove their worth and deliver the captivating content that Netflix demands.
Will they be able to rise above the turmoil and reclaim their place in the industry? Only time will tell.
