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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle new film, TV, documentary series revealed

Netflix’s chief content officer briefed Hollywood insiders on the projects coming from Meghan Markle and Prince Harry over the next 12 months.

Meghan Markle thinks a suits spin-off is ‘beneath her’

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have “a bunch” of films, television series and unscripted projects in development, according to Netflix.

The streaming giant’s chief content officer Bela Bajaria told an event for Hollywood insiders that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are in “very early development” of multiple new projects under their five-year deal, said to be worth $100 million.

It comes amid mounting speculation over recent high-profile resignations from Archewell Productions, the content arm of the couple’s foundation.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in Netflix series, Harry & Meghan. Picture: Supplied
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in Netflix series, Harry & Meghan. Picture: Supplied

“They actually have a bunch in development,” Bajaria said, adding they’re working on “a couple of unscripted things” as well, according to the Times.

While no further details were provided, the “unscripted” projects are speculated to be more documentaries following the success of Harry & Meghan and the film is thought to be either a new property or an adaptation of the romance novel, Meet Me at the Lake.

The rights to the Carley Fortune novel, set in Toronto, were acquired by the California-based royals last year.

The Netflix deal, signed in 2020, is due to expire next year, meaning the slate of programming will be due for release within the next 12 months.

MAJOR BLOW TO MEGHAN’S HOLLYWOOD DREAM

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle suffered a major blow to their Hollywood plans after a key figure at their TV production company walked out.

Archewell Productions executive Bennett Levine became the latest in a string of senior staff leaving the content arm of the Sussex’s foundation as the exiled royals look to sign new programming deals.

Levine confirmed on Twitter/X he had left the company less than a month after his former boss Ben Browning, who oversaw the Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan.

“I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position at Cinetic Media,” he said on social media of his new role at the talent management company.

Meghan and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attends the premiere of Bob Marley: One Love in Jamaica. Picture: Getty Images
Meghan and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attends the premiere of Bob Marley: One Love in Jamaica. Picture: Getty Images
The Duke and Duchess attended the Jamaica film premier at the invitation of Paramount boss Brian Robbins. Picture: Getty Images
The Duke and Duchess attended the Jamaica film premier at the invitation of Paramount boss Brian Robbins. Picture: Getty Images

He joined Archewell Productions as a co-ordinator in 2021 before being promoted to manager in a move Endgame author Omid Scobie heralded at the time as showing “a hive of activity that continues to grow”.

Levine’s departure comes amid reports Prince Harry and Meghan have been stepping up their efforts to secure a new content production deal as their lucrative Netflix contract expires next year.

“It’s a blow to the company. There’s no doubt about that,” an inside source told The Mail.

Meghan recently spoke about what was next for Archewell Productions after the success of Harry & Meghan, the less popular documentary Heart of Invictus, plus the docuseries Live to Lead.

“Things that make people feel — I was going say ‘good,’ but it’s more than that, things that make people feel something, right?” she said at a “Power of Women” event in Los Angeles.

“And feel a sense of community. But we have so many exciting things on the slate. I can’t wait until we can announce them, but I’m just really proud of what we’re creating. My husband is loving it, too. It’s really fun.”

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/royals/major-blow-to-meghan-markle-and-prince-harrys-hollywood-dream/news-story/b8c1a3b3f59429a85009f73cec28388f