Meghan Markle’s Netflix Venture Hits the Skids: “No Love Lost” as Partnership Ends
The much-hyped partnership between Meghan Markle and streaming giant Netflix has reportedly come to an abrupt end, with the company allegedly cutting its losses after a relatively short tenure. The Duchess of Sussex’s passion project, a lifestyle and cooking docuseries titled With Love, Meghan, is said to have failed to deliver the expected financial returns for the streamer, leading to its premature cancellation after just two seasons.
Meghan Markle’s production company, As Ever, was established with a significant investment from Netflix. However, insiders suggest the streamer saw little to no profit from the collaboration. “Netflix put millions behind this deal and I don’t think they saw a return whatsoever. They just cut a loss,” a source revealed to Page Six on March 21st. The news of With Love, Meghan‘s cancellation emerged earlier this month, marking a swift conclusion to a venture that had generated considerable buzz.
Internal Friction and Disappointment at Netflix
The parting of ways appears to be far from amicable, with reports indicating a significant disconnect between Meghan and the Netflix team. One Netflix staffer candidly stated, “There are a lot of people who really did not enjoy working with Meghan on With Love,” adding that “there is no love lost” between the former actress and the streaming service. This sentiment is echoed by another anonymous employee who questioned the streamer’s strategy: “Why ever in the world would Netflix put all this money into the deal and then say the plan was to let it go after 11 months? You can try to spin it whatever way you want, but it’s just not true.”
In response to these reports, a representative for the Sussexes issued a statement asserting that “As Ever is now ready to stand on its own.” This suggests a move towards independent production, potentially seeking new avenues for their creative projects.
Allegations of Difficulties During Production
Further details emerged in a bombshell report published by Variety on March 17th, shedding light on reported difficulties encountered during the collaboration. The report alleged that A-list talent and directors were hesitant to work with both Meghan and her husband, Prince Harry.
One particularly striking accusation detailed Meghan’s alleged behaviour during Zoom meetings with executives. It was claimed that she would “disappear for long periods” whenever she felt offended by something said or done. This behaviour, if true, would undoubtedly create a challenging working dynamic.
However, Meghan’s attorney, Michael J. Kump, vehemently denied these accusations. He explained to Variety that Meghan “works from home, is the mother of young children aged 4 and 6, and often encounters (as many parents who work from home do) children who enter the space unexpectedly during a meeting.” He further elaborated that Meghan is “conscious of shielding her team from the distraction of children” and that needing to “turn off the audio or camera during a virtual meeting” is a common occurrence for many professionals.
The initial Netflix deal, signed in 2020 following Meghan and Harry’s departure from the royal family, was reportedly worth a staggering $100 million. The couple established their production banner, Archewell Productions, in the same year.
Evolution of the Netflix Agreement
Last year, the terms of the agreement were reportedly renegotiated to a “first look” deal. This arrangement grants Netflix the initial opportunity to produce projects developed by Archewell. However, it also allows Meghan and Harry the flexibility to pitch their ideas to other companies if Netflix passes on them. This shift suggests a move towards greater autonomy for the couple in their content creation endeavours.
The future trajectory of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s media ventures remains a subject of keen interest. While their Netflix chapter appears to be closing, their ambition to produce content suggests they will continue to explore various platforms and partnerships to bring their stories to audiences worldwide.
The fallout from this high-profile partnership raises questions about the complexities of celebrity-led production deals and the challenges of navigating the demanding landscape of the entertainment industry. As “As Ever” prepares to forge its own path, the industry will be watching to see if Meghan Markle can replicate the success she envisioned with Netflix through independent means.
