Duke's book release overshadowed major project, insiders say
Prince Harry reportedly upset Netflix executives when the January 2023 release of his explosive memoir overshadowed the platform's flagship Sussex project, Harry & Meghan.
The six-part documentary, released in December 2022, was the first major result of the £75 million deal Harry and Meghan signed in 2020 after stepping back from royal duties. While the series achieved huge viewership, Netflix insiders feared the Duke's book launch just weeks later pulled focus from the show's impact.
According to the Mail, Netflix now views the original deal—set to run until 2025—as an “expensive failure,” with later productions struggling to match the success of Harry & Meghan.
On Monday, however, the couple and Netflix announced a fresh multi-year agreement, reportedly worth only a fraction of the original sum. One source told Page Six, "It's not much. It's no risk for Netflix but saves them both reputationally."
Meghan said in a statement, "We're proud to extend our partnership with Netflix and expand our work together to include the As Ever brand. My husband and I feel inspired by our partners who work closely with us and our Archewell Productions team to create thoughtful content across genres that resonates globally and celebrates our shared vision."
