Confusion over Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Netflix documentary
It’s one of the most talked-about projects in Hollywood - and now conflicting reports have emerged about the future of Harry and Meghan’s Netflix series.
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Conflicting reports have emerged about the plans for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s highly-anticipated documentary, sparking confusion over its future.
On Monday, Deadline reported that “rattled” Netflix bosses had decided to postpone the series amid backlash over the new season of its royal drama, The Crown.
According to the publication, an insider claimed that the documentary - made in collaboration with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s company, Archewell Productions - had been pushed back to next year, after originally being unofficially slated to stream in December, shortly after season five of The Crown and just three months after Queen Elizabeth II’s death.
After days of negative publicity surrounding the Netflix drama, including outrage over its decision to recreate Princess Diana’s final days and storylines depicting Prince Philip having an affair, the streaming giant reportedly had had a change of heart.
“They’re rattled at Netflix and they blinked first and decided to postpone the documentary,” a source told Deadline.
However, shortly after the report emerged, Page Six claimed “multiple sources” had confirmed the Netflix docuseries is actually still set to premiere this year.
“As far as I am aware, the docuseries is still going ahead later this year,” a “highly-placed” industry insider told the publication.
They also disputed claims that the production issues were related to The Crown.
Page Six has previously reported that complications had recently arisen between Harry and Meghan and Netflix, as the couple wanted to remove incriminating comments they had made about King Charles III, Queen Consort Camilla and Prince William and Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales.
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The confusion comes amid reports Netflix bosses have warned Harry and Meghan they will axe the estimated $US100 million ($A160 million) project entirely if they are unhappy with what’s produced.
According to The US Sun, the Sussexes want to review the tone of some of their statements – particularly in light of the Queen’s death – but have hit roadblocks as Netflix has “final edit” control.
“Harry and Meghan are in a tricky place right now,” an LA-based Netflix consultant told the publication.
“Sure they may have concerns about the content in the can and what they said on camera about the royals, but Netflix holds the power.
“In reality it is their outlet and they have final say on what is broadcast. No talent is greater than Netflix.
“So while there may be concerns or pushback from the Sussexes on what they want to present on screen, Netflix can carry on.
“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 Duke and Duchess have also been accused of “contradicting” their own stories in the docuseries, with sources telling Page Six that Netflix and its filmmakers were confused by the discrepancies between some of Harry’s comments in his upcoming memoir and what he and Meghan have said on camera.
The source also pointed out to the publication that even with the couple’s “high-profile” status, at the end of the day, “This deal is a business transaction.”
“Certainly no-one is pushing around Netflix executives. With the utmost respect to Harry and Meghan, this is one deal within a multitude of content decisions the executive team discusses daily,” the insider said.
“Netflix struck a deal with the promise of exclusive insight into the lives and outlook of the Sussexes, which they felt would be a ratings success.
“If they are uncertain that the content will produce the ratings they desire, then that becomes a problem.
“At pitch and content production meetings, it is made clear that Netflix 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.”
It’s understood that despite reports of an eye-watering deal, Harry and Meghan have only received “a couple of million for development upfront” – an amount which would be seen as a “necessary loss” by Netflix should they fail to green light the project, according to the source.
The streaming giant already shelved Meghan’s other project, a children’s series called Pearl, after deciding the content was not what they were looking for.
Originally published as Confusion over Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Netflix documentary
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