Meghan Markle will not return to acting despite returning to Hollywood via her multimillion-dollar deal with Netflix.
The streamer's CEO, Reed Hastings, confirmed that being in front of the cameras is not in the plans for the Duchess of Sussex. She and Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, will apparently concentrate on working behind the scenes as producers.
Hastings spoke with the show Squawk Box on CNBC and said that the Sussexes want to build their "production capacity." The CEO said that Harry and Meghan have a "great eye for story" and that's what they will be working on when they signed with their contract with Netflix.
Reed also said that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were smart about their moves in Hollywood. They met with other industry giants before deciding to go with Netflix for their plans to go commercial and earn a private income.
On Sept. 3, Harry and Meghan confirmed via the New York Times that they will establish a production company for their Netflix deal. They said that they want to make "inspirational family programming" that will reach the streamer's global audience. The Sussex pair want to make shows and films, including those geared for children, that will unlock action.
However, industry insiders said that a bigger payday should be waiting for Meghan if she decides to go back to acting. Professor Jonathan Shalit OBE, the chairman of InterTalent, said that the Duchess of Sussex is in demand in Hollywood and could likely sign a studio that will be willing to pay her $50 million for one movie.
That talent fee puts Meghan in the same league as Robert Downey Jr., the star of Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). It's also higher than what Oscar-nominated actor Will Smith got paid for starring in Bright, the Netflix fantasy movie.
Before she quit Hollywood to become a royal, Meghan didn't have much film experience. Her biggest achievement as an actress was keeping a supporting role in the cable legal drama Suits for six seasons. Prior to working on the series, Meghan had been doing TV guest stints and game shows.
After quitting as a working royal, Meghan did the narration for the Disney+ nature documentary Elephants. She hasn't done on-camera or voice-over work after this. Meanwhile, sources said that if Meghan were to be in front of the camera again, then it will be for a documentary that she has produced with Prince Harry.
