Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's production deal with Netflix is apparently moving forward pretty fast. After signing with the American technology and media services provider in early September, sources now say that their very first program will be on the platform as early as 2021.
Royal correspondent Rachel Bowie of the podcast Royally Obsessed believes that Harry and Meghan are currently busy working on their first Netflix program. Bowie said that she heard Finding Freedom author Omid Scobie reveal in his own podcast, HeirPod, that the Sussex pair will have a film or show out "in less than a year."
Bowie went on to say that Harry and Meghan's Netflix deal is "five years long." She thinks that the Sussexes are going through the motions to produce content "really quickly."
It normally takes Hollywood productions to develop and produce movies or TV shows in 18 months. So, if the Sussex pair was to realistically follow this pace, their first show will not be out until 2022.
But, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings also said in a CNBC interview that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are going to have the most-viewed content on their platform in 2021. His statement supports Scobie and Bowie's declarations that Harry and Meghan will have a program released sooner than expected. It won't be just a pitch or a development.
Harry and Meghan's first program will reportedly be a documentary on the one of the founders of Black Lives Matter. Meghan wants her production outfit to tell the life story of Patrisse Cullors after she was blown away by her accomplishments.
The Sussexes pitched to studios and networks in June about a program that will promote women empowerment and racial equality, as well as encourage action from viewers. Insiders said that this idea does sound a lot like the story about Cullors' work in the movement.
Meanwhile, insiders intimated to Us Weekly that Prince Harry and Meghan are hoping that their output on the streaming platform will rebuild their reputation. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are rebranding themselves after stepping back from their royal roles.
In January, Prince Harry and Meghan said that they want to be financially independent from the royal family. They also plan to pursue a different path that will change Harry's destiny as the spare to the heir to the throne, Prince William. Prince Charles reportedly also advised Prince Harry and Meghan to carefully study their plans of going commercial as it will still impact the royal family and Queen Elizabeth, most of all.
