Harry and Meghan plan new Netflix film and TV series: Sussexes are working on a ‘bunch’ of new projects, with a movie and ‘unscripted’ shows in development, executive at streaming giant reveals
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are working on “a lot” of new Netflix projects, including a movie and two other “unscripted” projects, a company executive said.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex signed a five-year deal with the California-based streaming giant in 2020 worth an estimated $100 million (£80 million).
But there was uncertainty over whether the deal will be extended next year, especially after their £15m Spotify contract expired at the beginning of June last year.
Now, Netflix Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria has revealed that Harry and Meghan “actually have a lot in development” under their Archewell Productions division.
According to The timesMs Bajaria told a Netflix promotional event in Hollywood that the Sussexes were working on “a few unscripted things” – believed to be documentaries – plus a film and a series that are all in “very early development”.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the One Love film premiere in Jamaica on January 23
It comes after Harry and Meghan turned up in Jamaica last week after being invited by the family of Paramount boss Brian Robbins with whom they have a friendship.
The Sussexes, who attended the premiere of new Bob Marley film One Love, were seen with Mr Robbins and his stylist wife Tracy James who live in Los Angeles.
The photos and revelation of their friendship were notable as the couple may have been looking for new forms of income amid speculation about the Netflix deal.
Brand and culture expert Nick Ede said at the time that Harry and Meghan would “want to look around and see where they can land their next ratings winner.”
It comes after Meghan revealed last November that they have several projects on the horizon and that she wanted to “produce things that make people feel something.”
Speaking at the Variety Women of Power Gala in Los Angeles, she said: “We have so many exciting things planned. I can’t wait until we can announce them, but I’m just really proud of what we’re creating and my husband loves it too.”
The couple’s six-part documentary “Harry and Meghan” was their first Netflix release in December 2022, which included a series of swipes at the royals.
Three weeks later, the Sussexes released their second Netflix production, “Live to Lead,” which was about world leaders who have fought for social justice.
In August last year, Harry released his latest series Heart of Invictus, which saw athletes prepare for the 2022 edition of the games and openly spoke out about his mental health struggles after returning from military service in Afghanistan.
Also last August, Netflix paid £3 million for the film rights to Carley Fortune’s romance novel Meet Me At The Lake, which Harry and Meghan will produce.
But last May, Netflix canceled Meghan’s planned animated series Pearl as part of a wave of budget cuts due to the streaming service’s declining subscriber base.