Royal experts warn of potential fallout as couple’s Hollywood standing takes a hit

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Netflix deal, which once promised a lucrative future for the couple, is now reportedly on shaky ground as the expiration date looms. With less than a year left on their contract, experts suggest that the couple’s “dreams are falling apart,” painting a stark contrast to their status as Time’s top 100 most influential people in 2021.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s six-part documentary, a Netflix hit in the past, faced criticism at the recent Golden Globes, where comedian Jo Koy quipped about them “being paid millions by Netflix for doing nothing.” The scrutiny intensified as Netflix reportedly requested more content of substantial interest to fulfill the remaining £40 million of their contract.

Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams voiced concerns about the couple’s Hollywood standing, emphasizing that they need to produce impactful content before their Archewell-Netflix contract expires in 2025. He argued that despite the attention garnered by their tell-all docu-series, Harry & Meghan, subsequent productions like Harry’s Heart of Invictus series and Meghan’s animated series Pearl failed to make a significant impact.

Fitzwilliams contended that if the couple doesn’t refocus their efforts soon, they risk losing not only their standing in Hollywood but also their Netflix deal, leaving them in a precarious position. The expert commented, “If they lost that, they really would be losers in every sense.”

The couple’s departure from Spotify, ending an £18 million contract, and the quiet removal of Meghan’s animated series from Netflix further compound their current challenges.

As critics suggest that their previous projects failed to demonstrate a lasting capacity to create content of genuine value, Meghan and Harry find themselves at a crossroads in their entertainment ventures. The uncertain future of their Netflix deal adds to the narrative of the couple’s evolving relationship with the media industry.