Everything Harry and Meghan have brought to Netflix so far
Back in 2020, Netflix made what looked like the deal of the decade. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex had just stepped away from royal life, and the world was hanging on their every word.
And that is when the streaming giant swooped in to secure them in an exclusive multi-million-dollar agreement. An unprecedented moment, the contract represented far larger than the streaming site had ever put forward before.
The mission was ambitious. Through their production company, Archewell, Harry and Meghan vowed to deliver “inspirational family programming” across documentaries, scripted series, feature films, and children’s shows. This was going to be the big pivot: from palace drama to prestige television. And at first, it looked like the match was made in heaven.
Because their debut… Oh, it was huge.
Everything Harry and Meghan have brought to Netflix so far
It started at the end of 2022 as Harry & Meghan, a six part docuseries, became Netflix’s most-watched series in an instant. Over 20million views in the first days of release, it was a behind-the-scenes look at royalty that had simply never been granted before.
Of course, the timing was… interesting. Just weeks later, Harry’s memoir Spare hit shelves, covering some of the same ground. Word on the street was that Netflix executives were not thrilled at the overlap, but officially, everyone smiled and said all was well. Whatever the truth, the numbers did not lie. This was the couple’s biggest hit to date, and it gave Netflix exactly what it wanted: a global talking point.
Then came Heart of Invictus in August 2023. A heartfelt documentary following competitors at Harry’s beloved Invictus Games. It had the heart, the cause, the emotion… but not quite the same viewing figures. Next was Live to Lead, a docuseries showcasing inspirational figures like Jacinda Ardern and Greta Thunberg. Admirable? Yes. Binge-worthy? Not exactly.
Somewhere in the mix was Polo, a sports documentary that may have delighted horse lovers but didn’t exactly break Netflix’s algorithm. By this point, the royal brand had shifted from headline-grabbing spectacle to niche-interest storytelling. Not a bad thing… just not what the splashy 2020 deal seemed to promise.
And then Meghan decided to invite us into her kitchen, garden, and perfectly arranged dining table with With Love, Meghan. It was a mix of cooking, lifestyle, and hosting tips, sprinkled with personal touches and an “As Ever” product placement or two. Yes, that’s her online line of artisanal goods, including a $28 orange blossom honey and a $14 apricot spread, which sold out fast, thanks to Netflix’s first-ever direct consumer brand tie-in.
The show outpaced other cooking programmes on the platform, but it did not escape criticism. Some viewers called it refreshingly imperfect; others labelled it “out of touch”. Still, it gave Netflix something different: a blend of lifestyle television and product marketing that, at least commercially, worked.
Not all the ideas reached fruition. The animated series Pearl was cut as the streaming platform readjusted its animation budget. The Let’s Meet at the Lake novel may have been proposed for an adaptation but, as of yet, nothing has moved.
This year brought Masaka Kids: A Rhythm Within, a short documentary about an orphanage in Uganda that went viral for its dance videos. Heartwarming, yes. But hardly the kind of tentpole content Netflix’s original deal might have envisioned.
What’s next?
Fast forward to August 2025, and Harry and Meghan’s Netflix relationship has officially changed. Gone is the all-encompassing exclusive deal. In its place? A “first-look” agreement. This means Netflix gets the first chance to say yes or no to their projects, but the couple can take their ideas elsewhere if the streamer passes. More creative freedom for Archewell, less guaranteed cash from Netflix.
Whether this is Netflix giving them space to experiment or simply hedging its bets is up for debate. The streaming giant is not as quick to sign mega-deals as it was in the early 2020s.
On the immediate horizon: a Christmas special for With Love, Meghan, plus season two of the show later this month. There is also that elusive Let’s Meet at the Lake adaptation and whatever other pitches Archewell brings to the table.
The question remains, can they recapture that Harry & Meghan-level magic or if Netflix’s loosening grip signals the slow fade-out of one of its most headline-grabbing partnerships. only catch is that the table feels a little smaller than before.
One thing is certain: this royal streaming saga is not over yet. And in the unpredictable world of celebrity deals, there’s always the chance of one more plot twist.