Netflix might not be done with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle just yet. Amid rumours about the estranged royal couple nearing bankruptcy, an insider close to the OTT giant hinted that the Sussexes could actually be heading toward new pitches now that the old ideas didn’t work out. Earlier, reports claimed one big reason behind the $100 million deal collapse was the poor performance of Meghan’s lifestyle series With Love, which apparently pulled in just 500,000 views, enough to frustrate Netflix bosses. That said, they’re still not planning to drop the Sussexes entirely.
Harry and Meghan’s deal with Netflix is not over yet
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made Netflix history with their 2022 docu-series Harry & Meghan, throwing brutal jabs at the royal family. The show alone sent the already tense family equation into freefall, with Harry and William’s bond reportedly crumbling to the point where the brothers didn’t even want to exchange pleasantries. The doc delivered big time for Netflix with massive viewership. That, however, may not be the case anymore, but the deal is still on.
According to Page Six, a source close to the situation said, “There are more TV projects coming soon with both the Duke and Duchess.” The Sussexes are also reportedly eyeing a first-look deal with the streamer once their current exclusive contract ends in September this year. The outlet also claimed Harry and Meghan might follow in the footsteps of Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, whose company Higher Ground now has a similar arrangement with Netflix. Meanwhile, the Duchess will soon return to the OTT screen with the new season of her lifestyle show, With Love, Meghan, which completed its shooting during the first season only.
While Netflix hasn’t made anything official, rumours of the scrapped deal blew up after the OTT giant listed With Love, Meghan at No. 383 last week. Though a source claimed the show still ranked better than other lifestyle titles like The Great British Baking Show, two seasons of Chef’s Table, and Season 9 of Queer Eye, it wasn’t enough to quiet the noise. Speculation is running wild on whether Netflix only needs the Sussexes when they’re stirring up royal drama. Time will tell. For now, the couple are facing major heat in the UK after an unverified report surfaced claiming they’re on the verge of bankruptcy. “She had everything going for her, name, platform, publicity, but the viewing numbers were dismal. This deal is dead,” one source shared with Radar online. Another added, “Meghan and Harry rely on this deal to sustain upkeep on their $29 million mansion and their huge range of staff. Without it, and without massively curbing their spending, they could be headed for bankruptcy.”
