Harry and Meghan sign multi-year deal with Netflix, will produce shows and movies that 'inform and give hope'
Six months after stepping down from senior royal duties, Prince Harry and Meghan have embarked on a new journey as they have signed a multi-year deal with Netflix. The couple has founded a yet-to-be-named production company and signed the deal with the streaming giant under which they will be paid for making documentaries, docu-series, feature films, scripted shows, and children’s programming.
“Our focus will be on creating content that informs but also gives hope. As new parents, making inspirational family programming is also important to us,” the pair said in a statement as they added that Netflix’s “unprecedented reach will help us share impactful content that unlocks action.” Netflix, which was founded in 1997, currently has 193 million subscribers all over the world. However, it was not immediately clear how much Harry and the former actress will be paid.
Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s co-chief executive and chief content officer, said in a statement, “we’re incredibly proud they have chosen Netflix as their creative home and are excited about telling stories with them that can help build resilience and increase understanding for audiences everywhere.”
There have been speculations about Harry and Meghan joining Hollywood since the day they announced their plan to leave the British royal palace. Even in January, Sarandos said that Netflix would like to work with the couple. While speaking at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, he said, “Who wouldn't be interested? Yes, sure."
Meghan’s first job after Megxit was as a narrator of the Disney Plus docuseries ‘Elephants’, which released in April. The feature-length film documented the story of a herd of elephants on their 1,000-mile journey through Zimbabwe and Botswana, across the Kalahari desert. As per reports, the ‘Suits’ star got the opportunity after Harry boasted about her voiceover skills to Disney chairman Bob Iger.
However, the 39-year-old did not take any payment for the work and the entire amount was donated to a charity, named Elephants Without Borders. Following his wife’s steps, Harry also became part of a Netflix documentary — titled ‘Rising Phoenix’ — which was about the Paralympic Games. The film was released on August 26.
Some sources said in January that Harry and Meghan had a meeting with Barack Obama and his lawyer wife Michelle as they also want to have a successful, but dignified life like them. After the White House, the Obamas earned a small fortune by selling rights to their autobiographies and starting their own production company, which helped them in getting a lucrative deal with Netflix. “They have found huge commercial success without actually looking like they are getting their hands dirty, to put it bluntly, and retaining their popularity. In fact, it is fair to say that their star has soared since leaving the White House, particularly Michelle's, and this is something Meghan admires very, very much,” an insider said.
In March, Finding Freedom co-author Omid Scobie also said that Harry and Meghan would probably Obamas’ footsteps as he talked about the Disney documentary. Scobie said, “I think this project is a really great fit. I think it will be interesting to see what happens from there. Something like this is tastefully done, there's no reason why she can't do more of it in the future. I think, in fact, Harry and Meghan now have a really great chance to get a lot more involved in documentary production."
“Perhaps in the way we saw the Obamas sign a big deal with Netflix in the past. It wouldn't surprise me if something like that happens with the Sussexes at some point,” he added.