Netflix’s $75 million ultimatum to Harry and Meghan

According to reports, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been urged to create more captivating shows for Netflix in order to fulfill the remaining terms of their lucrative contract. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex inked a groundbreaking deal worth an estimated $150 million with the streaming platform in late 2020, but they have only received half of that sum thus far.

The focal point of their collaboration was the explosive six-part series “Harry & Meghan,” which garnered international acclaim and became Netflix’s most-watched documentary. Their production company, Archewell, has only released two other projects: a docu-series titled “Live To Lead” exploring global leaders and activists, and Harry’s forthcoming Invictus Games documentary, “Heart of Invictus,” set to debut later this year.

While Netflix reportedly expressed satisfaction with the viewership numbers for “Harry & Meghan,” The Sun claims that the couple has now been informed that they must create more captivating content to secure payment for the remaining portion of their contract. Meghan’s animated series centered on women in history, “Pearl,” was shelved last year without even getting off the ground. The Wall Street Journal recently detailed several other show pitches that were rejected, including an Emily In Paris-style series with a male lead and a LGBTQ-themed show similar to “Heartstopper.”

According to the WSJ, the couple does have one other series currently in production called “Bad Manners,” which is a prequel to Charles Dickens’ classic “Great Expectations.” The show reimagines the story, focusing on a lonely Miss Havisham living in a patriarchal society.

This development follows the recent termination of the couple’s high-profile Spotify deal and renewed speculation about the future of their Netflix contract. Earlier this month, The Sun quoted a source stating that there is a less favorable attitude toward the Sussexes’ deal at Netflix, with some higher-ups feeling that the initial excitement has waned and the financial benefits are no longer as substantial.

While the collapse of the Spotify deal has been surrounded by reported internal leaks, with insiders labeling the couple as “lazy” and an executive publicly criticizing them as “f**king grifters,” there are no indications of a similarly contentious split from Netflix. An industry insider cited by The Sun emphasized that there are no plans for a headline-grabbing public parting between the streaming giant and the couple. The source stated that Netflix was pleased to have Harry and Meghan on board and is eagerly awaiting their next great ideas. The insider added that the remaining portion of the deal is subject to continuous evaluation, which is customary for agreements of this magnitude.