Meghan Markle’s evolving relationship with Netflix is entering a critical new phase, as the streaming giant prepares to make sweeping changes to their multi-million-dollar content deal with the Duchess of Sussex.
Her original docuseries, With Love, Meghan, is set to return for a second and third season—but the spotlight is no longer just on the screen.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex first inked their landmark partnership with Netflix in 2020, following their high-profile exit from the British royal family. The five-year contract reportedly included an upfront payment of $15 million, with the remainder allocated for producing original content under their Archewell Productions banner.
Now, with the agreement set to expire later this year, sources indicate that Netflix is keen to renew—but not without reworking key elements of the deal. Industry insiders say the platform is determined to avoid previous missteps and better align future content with viewer expectations and market performance.
Royal commentator Esther Krakue, speaking on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive, noted that the Sussexes’ content output hasn’t consistently delivered results. “Aside from Harry & Meghan, there hasn’t been a project that truly resonated with audiences,” she observed, citing underwhelming responses to Invictus-related productions and a recent polo documentary.
Krakue also claimed that Netflix may now be approaching the Sussex deal with more caution. “They probably feel they didn’t get full value for the investment,” she said. “It was a gamble—and two years in, it became clear that Meghan and Harry may not be the entertainment powerhouses they were believed to be.”
Adding to Meghan’s challenges, reports have emerged that her Netflix show has been hit with a legal notice over alleged unauthorized content use. This latest twist further complicates her on-screen ambitions.
While Meghan remains a global icon, critics argue that she’s reluctant to reveal the more controversial aspects of her life—leaving audiences wanting more. As Netflix recalibrates its strategy, the future of Meghan’s storytelling may depend on how boldly she’s willing to tell her truth.