Meghan and Harry’s Netflix docu-series could be postponed
Streaming giant Netflix has reportedly made a call on the fate of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s docu-series, which was set to air later this year.
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Netflix has reportedly postponed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s documentary series until 2023, despite it being planned to run later this year.
The decision came after the streaming service copped flack for scenes in its fifth series of The Crown, reports Deadline.
“They’re rattled at Netflix, and they blinked first and decided to postpone the documentary,” a source told the outlet.
Netflix has come under fire in recent days for plot line dating back to 1991 about then Prince Charles and former UK Prime Minister John Major discussing the throne.
Mr Major called the representation of what took place 30 years ago “malicious nonsense”, leading Netflix executives to reconsider their original plan to air the Sussex docu-series after the finale of the latest season of The Crown.
The documentary series on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, being produced by Netflix and the Sussex’s production company, Archewell, was never given an official release date but was expected to air later this year.
But Prince Harry and Meghan reportedly want to delay it until 2023 anyway to review its tone following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
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The latest salvo in the off-screen drama between the streaming giant and the Sussex’s production company, Archewell, comes after Netflix bosses were reportedly “confused” that their upcoming documentary “contradicted what Harry has written” in his tell-all book.
The couple was advised that there are “no guarantees” Netflix will green light any of their productions to air on the streaming service, a Netflix LA-based consultant told The US Sun:
The company could cancel the contract, reported to be for USD $100 million (AUD $160m), at any time and instead pay up a greatly reduced “kill fee”.
Ms Markle’s animated series Pearl, the story of a 12-year-old girl exploring the lives of women throughout history, was cut by Netflix amid a collapse in subscribers, according to Deadline.
The upcoming docu-series was due to air later this year, but the House of Sussex reportedly want to delay it until 2023 to review its tone following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
They’re said to have been left in a “panic” after Netflix refused their requests to have final edit rights over the show, and have even clashed with their own production team in the attempt to “walk back” allegations against the royal family in the wake of the Queen’s death.
“Harry and Meghan are in a tricky place right now,” the Netflix insider told The Sun.
“They got a couple of million for development upfront but that is just a small balance which Netflix would see as a necessary loss.”
The source added that “no talent is greater than Netflix” and that Hollywood development deals like theirs end “all the time” if parties are at odds.
“So while there may be concerns or push back from The Sussexes on what they want to present on screen, Netflix can carry on,” the source said.
“And should the streamer’s executives become frustrated, feel like a stalemate has been reached, or frankly just get fed up, they are entitled to walk away altogether.
“The Sussexes and their team knew that going into this deal. Just because they are a Duke and Duchess makes no difference. If no settlements or agreements are reached the deal could fold.”
The deal they struck with Netflix, the source added, was exclusive insight into the lives and minds of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, a predicted rating success following their highly publicised Megxit amid a royal family feud.
But after the Queen’s death, a source told the Daily Mail they’re trying to “downplay much of what they have said about King Charles III, Queen Consort Camilla, and the Prince and Princess of Wales.”
“If they are uncertain that the content will produce the ratings they desire, then that becomes a problem,” the source said.
While Netflix has not immediately responded to a request for comment, the insider said the company prides itself as an “independent editorial broadcaster”.
“They do not simply release whatever contributors serve up to them – they can go to Youtube for that,” the source added.
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