Netflix has dispelled rumors surrounding the alleged cancellation of Prince Harry's "Heart of Invictus", responding to buzz that it's been dropped due to alleged financial concerns and workforce reductions. A representative for the streaming platform categorically denied these rumors.
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle inked a lucrative deal with Netflix through their Archewell Productions in 2020 to develop original content. So far, they've released a couple of programs: the six-part docuseries "Harry & Meghan," and "Live to Lead", both of which premiered in December 2022.
The highly anticipated "Heart of Invictus" centers around the Invictus Games, a sporting event for wounded military veterans initiated by Prince Harry. This documentary promises a compelling narrative on competitors' journey to the 2022 Invictus Games.
In a social media post, Netflix U.K announced the series was slated for a Summer 2023 release. However, it refrained from specifying a concrete release date.
Despite the lack of an official announcement, chatter about its cancellation flooded social media platforms. The rumors emerged from a tweet by a user, @MeghansMole, attributing the cancellation to Meghan Markle's supposed "outrageous demands." The user claimed that the documentary turned into a "Meghan Fashion show," diverting focus from the veterans.
In a series of replies, the user claimed their source to be an insider at Netflix. The tweet drew further attention as other users like @Mystifeye and prominent royal critic Angela Levin joined in speculating about the project's cancellation.
Netflix, however, refuted these rumors. A representative confirmed to Newsweek that the "Summer 2023" premiere for "Heart of Invictus" is on track.
Initially announced as the inaugural project of the Sussexes' deal with Netflix, "Heart of Invictus" received praise from Co-CEO and chief content officer for Netflix, Ted Sarandos. Sarandos affirmed the commitment of the Sussexes to shed light on the Invictus Games, stating it holds a "very special place in their hearts".
Prince Harry echoed Sarandos' sentiments, expressing his anticipation for the series. He stated, "Since the very first Invictus Games back in 2014, we knew that each competitor would contribute in their own exceptional way to a mosaic of resilience, determination, and resolve."
However, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic postponed the 2022 Invictus Games, initially scheduled for May 2020 in the Netherlands. Consequently, the production of "Heart of Invictus" also suffered a delay. It was only in April 2022 when the Duke and Duchess were able to commence filming in the Hague, Netherlands, with a Netflix production crew.
