Their latest project, "Heart of Invictus," a five-part series showcasing athletes competing in the Invictus Games, has struggled to gain traction, failing to secure a spot in Netflix's top 10 chart in both the US and the UK since its release last Wednesday. Newsweek has even labeled the new show a flop.
"Heart of Invictus" was closely tied to Prince Harry, who founded the Invictus Games in 2014 for wounded servicemen and women. He served as an executive producer for the series, with his company R12 listed as the production house.
Given their lucrative $100 million deal with Netflix, it's possible that the streaming giant is disappointed with the lackluster reception of the show. This setback comes amid a series of challenges for the couple, including the implosion of their $20 million Spotify deal back in June and the cancellation of their animated series, "Pearl," by Netflix.
At least two other show ideas pitched by the Sussexes were also rejected by Netflix executives. As a result, Netflix does not plan to renew the couple's deal, which originally ran through 2025. Their first Netflix project, "Harry and Meghan," which detailed their romance and departure from the UK, was a massive success, topping charts worldwide and receiving high UK viewing ratings in 2022. However, subsequent projects, including "Lived to Lead," featuring interviews with figures like Greta Thunberg and Gloria Steinem, failed to make a significant impact.
In addition to their Netflix challenges, Meghan Markle recently faced disappointment when Spotify decided to cancel her "Archetypes" podcast after just one season due to falling short of production targets. With the cancellation of the podcast, the Sussexes' remaining major deal is their $81 million contract with Netflix, which could prove to be a significant obstacle to their ambitions of building a one-billion-dollar media empire.
Since stepping back from their royal duties and relocating to California, the couple has been actively building a network of entertainment companies to promote their message. Their endeavors include a multi-year deal with Netflix, a three-book deal with Penguin Random House, and more. Netflix reportedly paid the lion's share of their massive deal, further emphasizing the importance of their continued success with the streaming giant.
Despite these recent setbacks, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly in talks with Netflix for their latest documentary, which will focus on community-building efforts in South Africa, with Meghan raising awareness about safe birthing practices. This project demonstrates their ongoing commitment to using their platform for humanitarian causes.
