Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's partnership with Netflix to create original movies and TV shows has hit some hurdles, with two of their recent TV show ideas being turned down by the streaming giant.
The couple's company, Archewell, has already produced two Netflix original series, but sources familiar with their work reveal that two more show concepts were outright rejected. As their $100 million deal progresses, concerns are arising about its success.
Since securing the lucrative deal with Netflix, Archewell successfully released the docu-series "Harry and Meghan," delving into the couple's relationship and their experiences with the British royal family. Additionally, they launched "Live to Lead," a show aimed at inspiring young people by featuring influential activists and politicians.
However, insiders disclosed that Archewell pitched three other shows to Netflix. One, an animated series named "Pearl," was initially put into development but later canceled. The other two show concepts seemed to replicate successful existing Netflix shows, one similar to "Emily in Paris" but with a male protagonist, and the other comparable to "Heartstopper," following a gay protagonist. Both were turned down by Netflix.
Despite the setbacks, a Netflix spokesperson praised the success of "Harry and Meghan," stating it was their biggest documentary premiere ever, and affirmed their commitment to continuing the collaboration on several projects. Nevertheless, anonymous sources cited in The Wall Street Journal's report predicted that Netflix might not renew the deal when it expires in 2025.
Archewell's official spokesperson, on the other hand, remains optimistic, emphasizing that startups often experience changes in personnel and strategy. They noted the recent hire of actors and producer Tracy Ryerson as the new head of scripted content, signaling the company's determination to focus and achieve success.
Apart from the Netflix deal, Archewell had a podcast deal with Spotify, but they recently parted ways. Markle's podcast, "Archewell Audio," will not receive a second season. While navigating the entertainment industry as former royals, Markle and Harry are well aware of the challenges they face, but they are undeterred in pursuing their creative projects.
Amidst the bumps in their journey, the couple is working on more projects with high hopes for success. Their earlier series, "Harry and Meghan," received considerable attention, but "Live to Lead" did not garner the same level of recognition. Wall Street Journal's report even questioned the success of "Live to Lead," as it didn't make it to Netflix's top 10 lists, suggesting it may not have performed well.
Despite the speculations, the future remains uncertain for Archewell's partnership with Netflix. As they continue to produce content, both the Sussexes and the streaming giant are keeping their fingers crossed for future projects' success.
