In a pivotal juncture for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Hollywood careers, the end of the recent industry-halting strikes has opened new avenues for their creative endeavors. Post-royalty, the couple ventured into entertainment, signing a lucrative deal with Netflix through their production company, Archewell Productions. This partnership has already produced three docuseries, receiving mixed critical responses.
Meghan's aspirations to revive the romantic comedy genre and the couple's venture into non-scripted movie projects, including adapting Carley Fortune's novel "Meet Me at The Lake," have marked a shift in their creative focus. This adaptation stands as Archewell Productions' sole publicly announced project, with the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) strikes having paused significant developments.
The cessation of these strikes, as pointed out by entertainment expert Mark Boardman to Newsweek, presents an opportune moment for the Sussexes. With improved terms for creators and actors, especially in the domain of scripted content for streaming platforms like Netflix, Harry and Meghan can potentially renegotiate their financial stakes with project collaborators.
Boardman suggests that this period could be crucial for the couple to re-energize their business focus, especially in light of King Charles' distancing and their portrayals in media, including a recent "Family Guy" episode.
However, Harry recently missed out on a Grammy nomination for his audiobook version of his memoir, "Spare," despite meeting the eligibility criteria for the "Best Audio Book, Narration and Storytelling Recording" category.
On a different note, royal commentator Kinsey Schofield suggests that Harry and Meghan's Netflix docuseries and Harry's memoir "Spare" might strain their relationships with the Hollywood elite. Celebrities like Beyoncé, Courteney Cox, and Gayle King may have been placed in awkward situations due to the couple's revelations. Schofield believes that while having supporters like Tyler Perry and Oprah is beneficial, most individuals prefer to avoid choosing sides and the ensuing drama.
Despite these challenges, Harry and Meghan were seen supporting Katy Perry at her final Las Vegas residency show, alongside other celebrities. However, their use of a private jet for this event has drawn criticism, especially in contrast to Prince William's recent environmental advocacy work in Singapore.
As the Sussexes navigate these complex dynamics, their journey in Hollywood continues to evolve, marked by both potential triumphs and emerging tensions within their celebrity circle.
