Photo Credit: Chris Jackson / Fox News
In a surprise development, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have secured a new multi-year “first-look” deal with Netflix under their Archewell Productions banner. This freshly minted contract is a major departure from their blockbuster $100 million deal signed in 2020—now recalibrated into a leaner, project-by-project arrangement. Fans and insiders alike are weighing in on Instagram stories and Reddit threads, where speculation is rife about what this shift means for the couple’s media future.
From Big Paydays to Modest Projects
The original 2020 agreement, signed just after the Sussexes left royal duties, made headlines worldwide as a $100 million arrangement to produce films, documentaries, series, and children’s content through Netflix.
Fast-forward to today: Netflix has opted not to renew the full-scale deal, which is set to expire this September. In its place comes a first-look agreement, giving Netflix the right to evaluate and approve each project individually, without any guaranteed funding or exclusivity.
Analysts say the shift reflects Netflix’s pivot away from large upfront celebrity contracts toward more flexible, performance-driven content strategies, similar to recent deals with the Obamas’ Higher Ground.
What’s Next — The Upcoming Slate
Despite being scaled down, the new deal still covers a slate of familiar and fresh projects:
- Season 2 of With Love, Meghan — slated to premiere on August 26, 2025, featuring guests like Chrissy Teigen, Tan France, José Andrés, David Chang, and others.
- A holiday-themed special—With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration—scheduled for December, offering festive cheer from Montecito.
- A documentary short, Masaka Kids, A Rhythm Within, spotlighting an orphanage in Uganda and echoing Princess Diana’s legacy.
- A screen adaptation of Carley Fortune’s romance novel Meet Me at the Lake—still in development.
- Ongoing integration of Meghan’s As Ever lifestyle brand, leveraging its growing popularity alongside content.
Why the Deal Shrunk — Performance, Perceptions, and Platform Strategy
The Sussexes’ original Netflix partnership produced five major projects: Harry & Meghan, Live to Lead, Heart of Invictus, Polo, and With Love, Meghan. While Harry & Meghan (2022) became the platform’s most-watched documentary debut, subsequent deliveries failed to hit the same heights:
- With Love, Meghan logged 5.3 million views in early 2025, ranking at No. 383 globally.
- Polo performed worse—reaching just 500,000 households and falling to No. 3,436.
- Critics described some of the later content as “tone-deaf,” “unlovable,” or basic, noting a decline in creative resonance.
Industry insiders observe that Netflix “got all they could” from the Sussexes and is now choosing a safer, project-focused route.
Public and Social Media Reaction
Reddit threads have buzzed with theories—some fans lamenting the downgrade, others saying it reflects a realistic market adjustment. One Redditor mused, “They peaked with ‘Harry & Meghan’; everything after felt so… flat.”
On Instagram, the trailer for Season 2 dropped with immediate buzz:
- Fans praised the cozy, approachable vibe, especially scenes featuring Archie and Lilibet visiting the set. Many highlighted that moment as a reminder of the couple’s relatable charm.
- Some critics countered: “Again, more lifestyle fluff—when’s the real talk?” referencing past commentary on authenticity.
Staying Relevant: What the Future Holds
Unlike a full cancellation, this first-look deal leaves room for future collaboration—but everything now depends on performance. If Season 2 or the holiday special generates strong viewership or social engagement, Netflix may green-light more projects.
Meanwhile, Meghan continues to grow her As Ever brand, supported by Netflix’s CPG division, which remains a passive but strategic partner.
Yet, royal-watchers note the couple’s shrinking bargaining power. Royal commentator Hugo Vickers suggested they “no longer [hold] a strong negotiating position” and Netflix’s involvement may now be driven in part by publicity benefits.
Final Thoughts: Reset or Reinvention?
This is no full stop—it’s more of a recalibration. Harry and Meghan are pivoting from headline-generating deals to content that must speak for itself. Their ability to remain relevant now rides on whether new projects can recapture the cultural momentum of Harry & Meghan.
Their partnership with Netflix evolves into a more performance-focused era—lower risk for the streamer, and higher pressure for the Sussexes. For them, the challenge is clear: prove they still have that media momentum—or step into new creative arenas beyond the streaming big leagues.