Netflix is reportedly “done” with Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle, according to insiders.
The global streaming giant, which signed a $100 million deal with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s Archewell Productions in 2020, recently ended its partnership with Meghan’s As Ever brand and axed her With Love, Meghan series.
Now, sources have aired the sour relations between Netflix and the royal couple to Variety, revealing that their dealings behind the scenes are “far from a fairytale”.
“The Sussexes’ perceived pattern of selling repackaged versions of the same story about their exit from royal life has exhausted Netflix,” Variety writes.
The publication adds: “Their partnership may continue to taper off, and with it will Meghan and Harry’s remaining showbusiness lifeline.”
Furthermore, a Netflix insider told Variety: “The mood in the building is ‘We’re done.'”
The source noted that the couple’s “bedside manner”, “lacklustre ratings” and “poor communication” were behind Netflix’s decision to distance itself from the couple and their business dealings.
Despite alleged tension within the partnership, Archewell Productions and Netflix still have a number of scripted projects in the works, including film adaptations of novels The Wedding Date and Meet Me At The Lake.
Earlier this year, Meghan’s cooking series, With Love, Meghan, was quietly axed by Netflix after failing to connect with viewers.
The lifestyle show premiered on Netflix between March and August last year, before returning for a festive Christmas special in December.
Across eight episodes, the Duchess of Sussex welcomed her famous friends into a rented Montecito home where they cooked, crafted and gardened.
However, the streaming giant reportedly “lost interest” in the series after it “failed to gain real traction with viewers”, sources told journalist Paula Froelich.
The decision to axe the series led to Netflix’s pull away from Meghan’s lifestyle brand As Ever, with an industry source exclusively revealing to Page Six that it “did not make sense to progress the partnership”.
In the wake of the announcement, a Netflix spokesperson told Page Six: “Meghan’s passion for elevating everyday moments in beautiful yet simple ways inspired the creation of the As Ever brand, and we are glad to have played a role in bringing that vision to life.”
“As it was always intended, Meghan will continue growing the brand and take it into its next chapter independently, and we look forward to celebrating how she continues to bring joy to households around the world,” the statement read.
Harry and Meghan signed their US$100 million deal with Netflix in 2020 after leaving the royal family.
Under the deal, they released a number of projects, including their 2023 tell-all documentary, Harry & Meghan.