Meghan Markle and Harry interview was 'clear plug' for upcoming Apple+ mental health docuseries: TV insiders
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's interview with Oprah Winfrey that aired over 10 days ago on CBS has now been dubbed as a 'clear plug' for the former Duke's multi-part documentary series on mental health for Apple TV+. What's more, Winfrey herself is part of this deal. TV insiders shared with Daily Mail how the docuseries, for which Harry is a 'co-partner and co-creator,' was mentioned in the bombshell interview that left many shocked. Oprah Winfrey did give the upcoming mental health docuseries a shoutout during the interview that aired on CBS on March 7.
Although both Oprah Winfrey and the Sussex royals have maintained no money was paid for the CBS interview, the alleged plug was a 'paying gig' for Harry that he was expected to do, say sources. An LA consultant who works with Apple told the outlet that mentioning the upcoming show during the two-hour-long interview could be seen as part of the promotional duties which is part of the deal with Apple.
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"Oprah and Harry mentioning their documentary in the CBS interview was a clear plug," the source told Daily Mail. Harry is also being compensated for his contribution as the "co-partner, co-creator and executive producer" on the mental health series, sources allege. Speaking about the show in her interview, Winfrey said, on-camera, "Harry and I are working on this mental health series for Apple." The alleged 'plug' fit into the interview just after Meghan had spoken of her troubles with the royals.
The highly anticipated series was scheduled for autumn 2020 when it was stalled and has been in the making for two years now. According to insiders, Covid-19 restrictions, Harry’s exit from the royal family, and the couple's move to the US with Meghan Markle were responsible for stalled production. The docuseries has RadicalMedia as a creative and production partner and is yet to set a release date.
The 'Sussex Royal' Instagram post had announced the show back in 2019, with the caption: “We are excited to announce The Duke of Sussex and Oprah Winfrey are partners, co-creators and executive producers on their forthcoming mental health series launching on Apple in 2020.” Details about the deal with Apple have emerged after Meghan Markle's bombshell interview, which was watched by 12.4 million viewers when it first aired in the UK and saw her make glaring allegations against the royal family.
She claimed there were concerns within the family about how dark her then-unborn son's skin color would be. She also added that when she felt suicidal, all help was denied as it would look bad on 'the Institution'. Meghan refrained from taking names as it would be 'damaging' for the family. They also shared they were expecting a baby girl. In the wake of the interview, CBS talk show host Gayle King has also revealed Meghan has proof to substantiate her allegations. King also revealed that there have been phone calls between Harry and his father Charles, and brother William, although they were largely 'unproductive'.