Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been offered a Netflix lifeline to save their failing Hollywood careers. This update follows the much less lucrative first-look deal the Sussexes agreed to with Netflix.
Harry and Meghan’s First-Look Deal Gives Netflix the Advantage
The first-look deal is a massive step down from the multi-million dollar deal they made with Netflix in September 2020.
While their first effort, “Harry and Meghan,” was a huge hit for the streamer, the rest of the couple’s projects were an endless series of flops.
For the docuseries about their love story and subsequent exit as working royals, they relied on baseless gossip and criticism of the royal family.
After that, they produced some snoozers like “Polo” and “Live to Lead.” Polo was especially slammed, with critics calling it “boring,” “tedious,” and “utterly unrelatable.”
The Sussexes’ string of failed documentaries suffered from poor viewership and were essentially ratings disasters. Not to mention, the controversial pair incites negative PR.
Netflix cut its losses with Harry and Meghan and offered them a first-look deal, meaning Netflix now has the first option to approve projects rather than providing exclusive, guaranteed funding.
The streaming giant is also done with Meghan’s hugely unsuccessful and critically panned lifestyle brand, As Ever. Her show, “With Love, Meghan,” also tanked spectacularly.
The Streaming Giant Proposed Two New Projects that Have the Potential to Replicate the Success of “Harry and Meghan”
While the first season garnered satisfactory ratings, the second season was a total dud. Now, it has been reported that the powers that be at Netflix have reached out to Harry and Meghan.
The streamer’s executives have proposed new projects that could generate significant cash for the couple, mend fences with the company, and improve their public image.
One proposed project involves a reconciliation with Meghan’s father, Thomas Markle. It is public knowledge that Meghan and her father have been estranged for several years.
A well-placed source commented,
“So there is still contact, and while this is a very intimate subject, I think a huge number of people want them to reunite, and playing the role of family peacemaker is one that could win Meghan millions of hearts among viewers.”
The second idea is a documentary series about Harry to mark the 30th anniversary of his mother, Princess Diana’s death.
The source continued,
“This is probably the only aspect of his tattered ties with his family that still wins him enormous public support and sympathy.”
They added, “Many outlets will be doing Diana tributes, but the one that is fronted by her son, whom everyone remembers as a little boy sadly walking along with her coffin all those years ago, is the one everybody will want to watch.”
“Harry and Meghan” Holds the Record for the “Biggest Debut of a Streaming Documentary Series.”
Netflix executives think these two projects, in particular, could bring Harry and Meghan huge success, even reaching the level of success their first docuseries, Harry and Meghan, achieved.
Apparently, they think these two projects would boost both parties. “Harry and Meghan” still holds the record for the “biggest debut of a streaming documentary series.”
At the time, Netflix’s co-CEO described Harry and Meghan as “the jewel in our crown.” However, a series of failures and flops on Harry and Meghan’s part led Netflix to decline to renew their multi-million-dollar deal with the couple.
A source close to Netflix added,
“They can strike gold again, just as they did for the first couple of years after they arrived. But their success and popularity have both plummeted since, and they are going to need a comprehensive attitude readjustment if they want to get back on the gravy train.”
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