Prince Harry Meghan Markle: They tried to conquer Hollywood – but they ended up failing

When they left Britain and settled in the United States, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle set to work on a project they believed could transform them from former royals into powerhouses in Hollywood. The Wall Street Journal writes that this sounds like a fiasco.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry arrived in Southern California three years ago, with the titles of duke and duchess and plans to cash in on rich broadcasting companies, who were looking for stars to attract subscribers.

However, after the big deals- the rise 100 million with Netflix and over 20 million with Spotify– There were more cancellations and rejections than production offers. Harry Spear’s memoirs became a bestseller and the Netflix documentary about their “divorce” from the royal family proved popular. But then, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle fail to create content relating to anything other than their own personal experiences.

Meghan Markle- Prince Harry: The collaboration with Spotify has ended, and it’s unlikely to be renewed with Netflix

Sources told the Wall Street Journal that projects the couple hoped to move forward include an animated show called “Pearl,” which Netflix has canceled, as well as at least two ideas the platform rejected last year. The same sources said that Netflix is ​​unlikely to renew the deal with the couple after 2025.

The deal with Spotify led to the creation of “Prototypes,” a podcast about how stereotypes get in the way of women. Although the possibility of a second season was discussed, it was ultimately rejected. newly, Spotify and the couple announced that they have decided to end their partnership.

People who worked with them say their plan has been undermined Their lack of production experience and an inability to find material consistent with their brand, as well as issues beyond their control, including limiting spending on entertainment and podcasts.

“New companies often make changes, both in terms of people and strategy, and we are no exception. We are more equipped, focused and agile than ever,” said an Archewell spokesperson, noting that the company recently appointed a new head of written content, actress and producer Tracy Ryerson. .

A Netflix spokesperson said the company values ​​the partnership with Archwell and noted that the “Harry & Meghan” documentary was the best on the platform. “We will continue to cooperate in various projects,” he added.

Ideas rejected by Netflix

When Meghan Markle and Prince Harry struck deals with Netflix and Spotify in 2020, streaming services were booming and executives were scrambling to secure content and meet demand at all costs. The pandemic has boosted audiences for streaming platforms, but it has also halted the production of some early-stage projects, including Sussexes.

Today, the boom in streaming services has led to slow growth and uncertainty. Netflix and Spotify have cut movies and showsto reduce costs.

And Both companies were frustrated by Sussex’s lack of productivity, notes the American newspaper. Archwell employees and partners say its founders sometimes seem amazed at the work required to complete a project. Most initiatives follow the same pattern: great idea, sub-par execution.

“Harry & Meghan” was the first major project that signed the couple’s deal with Netflix. Archewell’s staff felt that the future of the deal with the platform depended on the success of the documentary and the project It caused tension within the company. But the sequel was difficult. Their second project for the platform, “Live to Lead,” a docu-series about world leaders and activists, didn’t make the top ten shows on Netflix.

They suggested other projects They seemed designed to copy hit Netflix shows, like one billed as “Emily in Paris” with a male lead, but also a series with gay characters akin to “Heartstopper.” Netflix said no to both, according to WSJ sources.

Netflix executives have expressed concern about Archewell’s performance And we think the success of ‘Harry and Meghan’ is all the company has to show it. Today, a corporate project for Netflix is ​​nearing completion. This is a documentary about the Invictus Games, Prince Harry’s sporting event for wounded veterans. Also in development is a ill-mannered show based on a character from Charles Dickens’ great expectations.

When Taylor Swift snubbed Meghan Markle

Meghan Markle has been largely focused on Spotify, but there has been no shortage of problems. When she first started working with the platform, for Archetypes, her company didn’t have an employee focused on audio projects. So at first the PR person was responsible for working with Spotify.

The platform executives started at Frustrated at the time it took to come up with the idea for Meghan Markle’s podcast and to assemble a production team. Eventually, Archewell hired an audio production employee who works with the Spotify team, who helped Meghan Markle build a list of potential guests and set up a studio at the couple’s mansion.

Choosing the right guest was often a problem. Meghan Markle sent a personal message to Taylor Swift, asking her to come on her podcast. But the pop star refusedthrough its representative.

Meghan Markle has always called for changes of late. In fact, he sometimes enlisted senior Spotify executives to contact producers and pressure them to make changes.

The podcast finally launched in August 2022 and spent its first week at the top of Spotify’s podcasts. Due to its success, they began discussing the possibility of a second season for several months, but eventually Spotify informed Archewell that the podcast would not continue. The couple did not honor all the terms of the deal, which included the direct engagement, the Wall Street Journal reports, with Prince Harry in particular struggling to come up with an idea for the podcast.