Since stepping down from their royal positions, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have embarked on a major reshaping path, with their ambitious media careers leading the way. The core of this evolution is their partnership with Netflix, which has achieved great success and led to a crucial renegotiation of their creative relationship. After continuous rumors of the possible end of their partnership, Netflix officially extended their creative collaboration with Archewell Productions with the couple, but on significantly different terms.
This renewed agreement, now a multi-year, first-look deal, signals an evolution in how Harry and Meghan will bring their stories to screens worldwide. It reflects not only the couple’s evolving strategy but also broader shifts within the streaming industry itself, moving away from the all-encompassing, exclusive agreements once common. From record-breaking docuseries to intimate lifestyle content, their work has consistently captured global attention, proving that their influence remains a potent force in culture.
As we delve into the details of their creative ventures, it becomes clear that this new phase of their Netflix collaboration is less about a termination and more about a strategic realignment. It’s a testament to their enduring appeal and the streamer’s belief in their ability to resonate with audiences everywhere, even as the financial structures and creative commitments adapt to a changing media landscape. This is the story of Archewell’s journey with Netflix, tracing its ambitious beginnings to its exciting, freshly defined future.
1. **The Genesis: Archewell’s $100 Million Netflix Debut**In 2020, as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle embarked on their new chapter away from the British monarchy, they made a bold statement with a five-year, $100 million deal with Netflix. This groundbreaking agreement was designed to give the streaming giant exclusive rights to all content developed by their newly formed media company, Archewell Productions. The couple’s stated ambition for this venture was clear: to create “inspirational family programming” that would encompass a wide array of formats, including documentaries, docuseries, feature films, scripted shows, and even children’s television.
This initial deal was hailed as a significant coup for both parties. For Harry and Meghan, it provided a massive platform and the creative freedom to tell stories that aligned with their values, from mental health initiatives to social transformation, without the constraints of their former royal roles. For Netflix, it meant securing exclusive access to two of the world’s most recognizable and influential figures, whose personal stories and global appeal promised to attract a vast subscriber base.
The partnership was seen as an ideal collaboration, giving them the ability to generate content that made a difference. However, despite the ambitious scope outlined at the outset, the first five years saw the release of a more focused range of projects than initially envisioned. While they promised a broad spectrum, the output leaned heavily into documentaries and docuseries, showcasing the couple’s immediate interests and experiences.
2. **”Harry & Meghan”: The Docuseries That Broke Records**By far the most explosive and successful project to emerge from their initial deal was the 2022 docuseries, “Harry & Meghan.” This intimate six-part series offered viewers an unprecedented and deeply personal look into their love story, their challenges within the royal family, and their eventual decision to step back from their roles. It provided a narrative directly from the couple, addressing public curiosity and past media portrayals.
The series made an immediate and profound impact, captivating audiences globally. It not only became Netflix’s most-watched documentary in its debut week but also continues to hold that record. With an astonishing 23.4 million views in its first four days, and drawing another 7.3 million hours in the first half of 2025, it cemented its place as Netflix’s fifth-most popular documentary series of all time. This phenomenal success underscored the immense public fascination with the couple.
Netflix’s Chief Content Officer, Bela Bajaria, aptly noted the couple’s influence, stating, “Harry and Meghan are influential voices whose stories resonate with audiences everywhere.” Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s CEO, further emphasized Meghan’s cultural impact, remarking, “When we dropped the trailer for the ‘Harry & Meghan’ doc series [in 2022], everything on-screen was dissected in the press for days. The shoes she was wearing sold out all over the world. The Hermès blanket that was on the chair behind her sold out everywhere in the world. People are fascinated with Meghan Markle. She and Harry are overly dismissed.” This docuseries proved that their personal narrative was a powerful draw, capable of generating both massive viewership and significant cultural ripple effects.
3. **”Heart of Invictus”: Prince Harry’s Passion Project**Beyond their personal story, Prince Harry brought a deeply personal project to Netflix with “Heart of Invictus.” This documentary, released in 2023, followed a group of extraordinary athletes as they prepared for and participated in the Invictus Games. The Games, founded by Prince Harry, are an international multi-sport event for wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women, both serving and veterans.
The series offered an inspiring look into the resilience, determination, and camaraderie of these competitors. It highlighted the power of sport in rehabilitation and recovery, showcasing the human spirit’s ability to overcome immense challenges. This project directly reflected Harry’s long-standing commitment to supporting veterans and shone a light on a cause close to his heart.
While perhaps not generating the same level of sensational headlines as “Harry & Meghan,” “Heart of Invictus” fulfilled a key part of Archewell’s mission to create content that is meaningful and impactful. It allowed Prince Harry to leverage the Netflix platform to amplify a cause he champions, offering a powerful narrative of hope and perseverance that resonated with viewers looking for uplifting stories.
4. **”Live to Lead”: Showcasing Global Inspirations**Another significant docuseries to come out of the Archewell-Netflix partnership was “Live to Lead,” which debuted in 2022. This series aimed to inspire viewers by chronicling the life stories of impactful world leaders and advocates who have committed themselves to making a difference. It aligned perfectly with the couple’s stated goal of creating content that promotes positive social change and highlights individuals dedicated to service.
The docuseries featured a diverse array of figures, exploring their journeys, philosophies, and the challenges they overcame to achieve their goals. By focusing on leaders across various fields, “Live to Lead” sought to provide a broader perspective on what it means to lead with purpose and conviction, offering lessons applicable to everyday life.
Through engaging interviews and narrative storytelling, the series offered viewers an intimate glimpse into the minds of those who have shaped our world. It served as a testament to Archewell’s dedication to producing content that is both educational and uplifting, encouraging audiences to reflect on leadership, service, and the potential for individual action to create wider societal impact.
5. **”Polo”: A Niche Dive into the Sport**Among the various projects, Archewell Productions also released “Polo” in 2024, a documentary focused on the professional sport. This venture explored the world of polo, a sport Prince Harry himself is known to play, often for charity, adding a personal connection for the Duke. The series aimed to shed light on the intricacies, history, and culture surrounding this equestrian sport.
While Archewell Productions aimed to fulfill a diverse content mandate, the “Polo” documentary emerged as a more specialized offering compared to the widely appealing docuseries focusing on the couple or influential global figures. Reports indicate that this particular documentary did not achieve the same level of viewership or critical acclaim as other Archewell productions, suggesting its appeal was more confined to a specific audience.
Despite its varying degree of success, its inclusion in the slate highlighted the breadth of interests the couple sought to explore through their production company. It demonstrated a willingness to delve into subjects that might appeal to specific audiences, contributing to the diverse portfolio of content they were developing under the Netflix umbrella.
6.Mghan Markle’s lifestyle series, “With Love, Meghan,” introduced a fresh perspective to Archewell’s content library, quickly becoming Netflix’s most-watched culinary show. The series debuted at No. 10 on Netflix’s global top 10 list, accumulating 12.6 million hours viewed in its first week and an additional 5.3 million views in the first half of 2025, offering viewers an intimate look at the Duchess’s personal interests.
This series provided audiences with an intimate window into Meghan’s passions, showcasing her talents in flower arranging and baking, alongside glimpses into her Californian home life. This personal approach fostered a relatable connection with viewers, highlighting themes of warmth, tradition, and personal joy, marking a clear shift towards lifestyle-focused content that complemented their more serious documentary endeavors.
The success of “With Love, Meghan,” especially within the competitive culinary genre, highlighted the couple’s media enterprise’s value and underscored Meghan’s individual star power. It reinforced her growing influence beyond biographical storytelling, cementing her position as a significant figure in the lifestyle content arena.
7. **The “As Ever” Brand: From American Riviera Orchard to Netflix Partnership**Central to Meghan’s lifestyle ventures is her brand, originally launched as American Riviera Orchard via Instagram on March 14, 2024. The initial short video showed the Duchess engaging in activities like arranging flowers and baking, setting a tone of elegant domesticity. Company registration documents revealed ambitious plans to create an online retail store featuring tableware, cutlery, cookbooks, stationery, and party decorations.
However, the brand’s initial rollout faced challenges, including a rejected trademark request and reports of difficulties in finding a CEO. Despite these hurdles, a significant pivot occurred in February when Meghan partnered with Netflix and rebranded the company to “As Ever.” This strategic alliance brought a powerful distribution and promotional partner into the fold, integrating the brand deeply with her “With Love, Meghan” series.
The collaboration quickly bore fruit, with a handful of products – including two jams, three teas, and honey – selling out almost immediately. Since then, “As Ever” has expanded its offerings, notably releasing a Napa Valley rosé, available in a three-bottle pack for $90. Meghan herself emphasized the significance of this partnership, stating on Instagram, “Netflix came on, not just as my partner in the show but as my partner in my business, which was huge.” While the specifics of Netflix’s role as a “passive partner” in the business (suggesting investment without management involvement) have not been made public, it’s clear that this collaboration has been instrumental in the brand’s rapid success, with products consistently selling out in record time. Netflix promotes the range online, further highlighting its commitment to the venture.
8. **The Strategic Pivot: From Exclusive to First-Look**The most significant revelation in the evolving partnership between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Archewell Productions and Netflix is the fundamental shift in their contractual agreement. What began in 2020 as a sweeping five-year, $100 million exclusive deal, granting Netflix first dibs on all Archewell content, has now transitioned into a multi-year, first-look arrangement. This new structure is less about an ending and more about an adaptive strategic recalibration, mirroring broader industry trends.
This revised agreement grants Netflix the initial right to review all film and television projects from Archewell Productions, but it no longer secures exclusive rights to every concept the couple develops. This marks a departure from the expansive, often costlier, exclusive deals that were once standard in the streaming industry, offering Archewell Productions greater creative flexibility while allowing Netflix to be more discerning with its investments.
Netflix’s Chief Content Officer, Bela Bajaria, alluded to this evolution, noting, “Harry and Meghan are influential voices whose stories resonate with audiences everywhere.” This sentiment underscores Netflix’s continued belief in the couple’s storytelling power, even as the financial and structural terms of their collaboration evolve to meet the demands of a dynamic entertainment landscape. It’s a pragmatic shift for both parties, ensuring a sustainable future for their creative endeavors.
9. **Understanding the New Financial Landscape**While the initial $100 million figure for their original Netflix deal captured global headlines, the new multi-year, first-look agreement comes with a notably different financial structure. Reports from sources close to the couple and the streamer suggest that this new contract is “much” less lucrative than its predecessor, with one insider reportedly telling Page Six, “It’s not much.”
While this adjustment in financial commitment might seem like a reduction, it represents a strategically advantageous move for both parties involved. An insider explained that this arrangement minimizes risk for Netflix while also offering reputational benefits to both organizations. For Netflix, it allows for a more adaptable investment strategy, concentrating resources on projects that precisely match their current content objectives without the financial strain of exclusive, high-commitment agreements.
This new financial structure enables Harry and Meghan to continue producing creative work with a major global platform, preserving their media presence and influence without the pressure of delivering an extensive volume of exclusive content. It underscores that their partnership is built not just on substantial financial compensation, but also on a shared vision for impactful storytelling and brand development that can adapt to evolving market conditions.
10.Despite the renegotiated financial terms, Netflix leadership has consistently affirmed their strong belief in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s unique ability to captivate global audiences. Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos, in particular, has frequently praised Meghan’s cultural influence, recalling how the trailer for the “Harry & Meghan” docuseries in 2022 generated days of intense media analysis, demonstrating their significant public interest.
Sarandos vividly illustrated her influence by recalling how “The shoes she was wearing sold out all over the world. The Hermès blanket that was on the chair behind her sold out everywhere in the world.” This level of immediate, tangible impact on consumer behavior is something few public figures can command, highlighting the Duchess’s formidable appeal. He emphatically stated, “People are fascinated with Meghan Markle. She and Harry are overly dismissed.”
These insights from Netflix’s top brass are crucial. They demonstrate that the partnership’s renewal is rooted in a clear recognition of the couple’s enduring global fascination and their ability to drive viewership and cultural conversations. It’s a strategic move to leverage their influential voices and resonant stories, proving that their appeal transcends any contractual shifts.
The partnership between Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and Netflix has been showcased as a compelling story of ambition, adaptability, and lasting impact, from groundbreaking documentaries to successful lifestyle brands. They are always committed to creating content that is thought-provoking and inspiring. As they launch new projects and expand their brand, it is evident that the Sussex family is actively shaping their future, crafting captivating stories and desirable products to ensure their unique voice resonates globally. The upcoming chapters of their journey will be as captivating as the previous ones.
