As the rumor mill buzzes about a potential split between Netflix and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the streaming giant unequivocally dispels these assumptions, affirming a strong partnership with the royal pair.
The grapevine began swirling after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's announcement of the termination of their multi-year agreement with Spotify. Some speculated that Netflix might follow suit and cease its collaboration with the royal couple. However, Netflix has countered these conjectures.
The streaming giant confirmed its continued collaboration with Archewell Productions, the Sussexes' production company, in a recent statement. A Netflix representative told People, "Our alliance with Archewell Productions is valued. The 'Harry & Meghan' documentary was the most successful debut in Netflix's history, and we look forward to our forthcoming projects, including the much-anticipated 'Heart of Invictus' series."
"Invictus Heart," announced by Netflix in January, will document the journey of athletes participating in the Invictus Games, an event initiated by Prince Harry for service members and veterans. The competition was scheduled to take place in The Hague, Netherlands, in 2020 but was postponed until April 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Elucidating the ethos of the Games, the streaming platform posted on Twitter, "The upcoming Archewell Production follows a group of extraordinary global competitors - all service members enduring life-altering injuries or illnesses - as they prepare to compete in the Invictus Games."
Reflecting on the Invictus Games in a 2022 interview with People, Prince Harry underscored the motivation behind the Games, characterizing them as an avenue to foster unity among injured veterans through friendly competition. Drawing from the William Ernest Henley poem, which states, "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul," Prince Harry emphasizes that the poem resonates with the Games' spirit of personal control and empowerment.
Netflix's assertion follows a Sun report that hinted at the streaming platform's reluctance to renew the Sussexes' high-profile contract. The royal couple inked their deal with Netflix and Spotify in 2020 after stepping back from their duties as working royals and relocating to California.
The Mirror's royal editor, Russell Myers, intimated a possible dip in the Sussexes' popularity three years post their royal exit, implying a need for recalibration in their Hollywood roles. Myers voiced his outlook regarding the Sussexes' association with Netflix, saying, "They signed a $150 million deal with Netflix amidst much fanfare. But they're not the sought-after property they once were. A reevaluation of their place in Hollywood may be necessary. Continuous disparagement of the family is untenable; they need a new approach."
