Harry and Meghan Sign New, Flexible, Multi-Year Deal With Netflix
Grab your remote and your favorite royal brew — Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are back on Netflix, and this time, they’re rewriting the script on their Hollywood journey. After whispers of an uncertain future once their blockbuster first deal wound down, the Sussexes have officially inked a brand-new, multi-year partnership with the streaming giant. But this isn’t a repeat of 2020’s megadeal. The new arrangement is leaner, looser, and maybe even smarter.
From $100 Million Hype to First-Look Freedom
Let’s rewind. Back in 2020, Harry and Meghan’s original Netflix contract reportedly topped $100 million and promised a buffet of content — documentaries, children’s shows, even scripted features. Their Archewell Productions delivered the record-breaking docuseries Harry & Meghan, which drew 23.4 million views in four days, plus the emotional Heart of Invictus, spotlighting wounded veterans.
But the royal content machine didn’t quite churn out everything on the original menu. No kids’ programming. No feature films (yet).
Enter 2025. The couple’s new deal is a first-look agreement: Netflix gets first dibs on Archewell’s pitches but no longer has exclusivity. That gives the Sussexes freedom to shop elsewhere if the streamer passes — a structure similar to Barack and Michelle Obama’s post-White House deal.
Translation: less upfront money, more creative flexibility.
What’s Next on the Netflix Menu
The new deal comes with plenty to binge:
- “With Love, Meghan” Season Two + Holiday Special
Meghan’s culinary-meets-lifestyle series is returning, complete with a festive holiday episode dropping in December. Think Montecito coziness, star-studded guest lists, and plenty of hosting inspo. - “Masaka Kids, A Rhythm Within”
Archewell’s next documentary heads to Uganda’s Masaka region, telling the story of orphaned children turning hardship into joy through dance. Expect a mix of global resonance and heart-tugging inspiration. - “Meet Me at the Lake”
The adaptation of Carley Fortune’s romance novel — rumored canceled but still alive — remains in development. It’s a love story spanning a decade, with Archewell stepping boldly into scripted drama territory.
Archewell: Bigger Than Netflix
The Sussexes’ media empire doesn’t stop at streaming. Meghan’s lifestyle brand “As ever”, which launched with jam, wine, and shortbread, is expanding thanks to the Netflix visibility boost. With sales surging, new categories are reportedly on the horizon.
Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria praised the pair as “influential voices whose stories resonate with audiences everywhere.” In other words: brand Archewell is scaling up, and Netflix wants in on the ride.
Hollywood’s Royal Reset
The shift from exclusive mega-contract to nimble first-look deal isn’t just about Harry and Meghan. It reflects a wider industry pivot: streamers are pulling back from nine-figure commitments and moving toward more flexible partnerships.
For the Sussexes, this could be a blessing. After the abrupt end of their Spotify podcast deal in 2023, the pressure is on to prove Archewell can deliver consistent hits. With Netflix’s backing — and the ability to pitch outside it — they may finally balance reach, risk, and creative control.
A New Era of Storytelling
Despite the tabloid noise, Harry and Meghan are steadily building a production identity that goes beyond palace drama. Their projects — from veterans’ stories to global children’s voices to lifestyle escapism — reveal a couple determined to use celebrity for storytelling with meaning.
Whether you’re a royal watcher, a documentary fan, or just streaming-curious, one thing’s certain: the Sussexes aren’t retreating from the spotlight. They’re reshaping it, deal by deal.
And if history has taught us anything, it’s that Harry and Meghan — much like Netflix itself — know how to surprise us right when we least expect it.
