Meghan Markle is one of the most polarizing celebrities on the planet.
You either hate her or love her with no middle ground.
And now Meghan Markle made this huge career changing announcement.
Meghan Markle and Netflix announce new content deal
Netflix saw the Meghan Markle show Suits – which ran for nine seasons on the USA Network – turn into a smash hit last summer when Netflix’s algorithm catapulted it to one of the most binge-watched shows on the platform.
Now Netflix wants to get even deeper into the Meghan Markle business by signing a new deal with Markle and her husband Harry to produce two new series for the streaming giant.
Deadline reports “that the pair have two non-fiction projects in production at the streamer. They form part of the overall deal that her and husband, Harry, The Duke of Sussex, signed with the company in 2020 via their Archewell Productions banner.”
Two new Markle-Prince Harry streaming series
One series is a lifestyle branding exercise for Markle.
“The first series will see The Duchess, otherwise known as Meghan Markle, celebrate the joys of cooking, gardening, entertaining, and friendship,” Deadline also reports.
The second, is Netflix looking to replicate the success of F1:Drive to Survive, where Netflix took Formula One racing – a sport associated with the European elite – and turned it into a pop culture phenomenon in the United States that draws big ratings and celebrity attendance by producing a documentary series with Harry and Markle about polo.
“The second series follows the world of professional polo. Shot primarily at the U.S. Open Polo Championship in Wellington, Florida, at The USPA National Polo Center, the series will explore the world of the sport, which is known primarily for its aesthetic and social scene. It will pull the curtain back on the grit and passion of the sport, capturing players and all it takes to compete at the highest level. Prince Harry has been known as a keen polo player and is often photographed playing internationally,” the Deadline report continued.
Buyer beware
Entering into an agreement with Prince Harry and Markle is a risky proposition.
Spotify signed a $20 million deal with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to produce the podcast Archetypes.
The show was a disaster, running for only one season with 12 episodes.
Markle faced allegations that she had an assistant conduct interviews with her guests, and staff edited in her questions during post-production.
Spotify head of podcast innovation Bill Simmons profanely accused Markle and Prince Harry of stealing money from Spotify.
“‘The F#$%^&* Grifters.’ That’s the podcast we shoulda launched with them,” Simons exclaimed on his podcast. “I gotta get drunk one night and tell the story of the Zoom I had with Harry to try and help him with a podcast idea. It’s one of my best stories.”
Simmons then went in on Harry being a no talent hack who depends on his status as a member of the Royal Family.
“Shoot this guy to the sun… I’m so tired of this guy. What does he bring to the table? He just whines about shit and keeps giving interviews. Who gives a shit? Who cares about your life? You weren’t even the favorite son,” Simmons added.
Netflix is the latest tech platform to want Harry and Meghan content.
Will this relationship also end in disaster?
