Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s blockbuster, five-year content partnership with Netflix, reportedly worth around $100 million, is officially set to expire this September without renewal. The couple originally signed the deal in September 2020, shortly after stepping away from their senior royal roles and relocating to Montecito, California. Insiders have confirmed that the decision to not extend the contract is mutual, with both Netflix and the Sussexes agreeing that the collaboration has “run its course.”
In This Article:
- What They Produced – Hits, Misses and Everything In-Between
- Netflix Changing Course on Content Strategy
- Mixed Reactions: Critical Voices & Viewers Speak
- Next Steps: New Deals and Future Projects
- Financial & Personal Implications
- Final Take
What They Produced—Hits, Misses and Everything In-Between
Under the deal’s umbrella, the Sussexes released five major projects:
- Harry & Meghan (2022): A six-part docuseries that became Netflix’s most-watched documentary debut ever, amassing over 81 million hours viewed in its first week.
- Live to Lead, Heart of Invictus, and Pearl (cancelled): These non-fiction offerings garnered moderate attention but lacked substantial impact.
- Polo: A polo documentary executive produced by the couple, which attracted around 500,000 viewers and ranked 3436th on Netflix’s engagement charts.
- With Love, Meghan (2025): A lifestyle series hosted and executive produced by Meghan, which debuted in March 2025. The first season entered Netflix’s Global Top 10 and generated 12.6 million hours watched in week one. However, longer-term engagement dropped; the series ranked 383rd with approximately 5.3 million views in the first half of 2025.
Netflix Changing Course on Content Strategy
Netflix’s decision is part of a broader strategic pivot away from large-scale, long-term exclusive agreements toward more flexible, project-based, or “first-look” deals. This echoes a similar shift seen when the Obamas’ Higher Ground Productions transitioned from a full contract to a first-look arrangement.
Netflix insiders maintain there is “no animosity” between the streaming platform and the Sussexes. A source emphasized the breakup is professional, not personal. Netflix “got all it can” from the partnership, and the timing isn’t related to any interpersonal issues.
Mixed Reactions: Critical Voices & Viewers Speak
Though “Harry & Meghan” proved a major success, later titles faced lukewarm to poor critiques:
- With Love, Meghan was deemed by some critics as “well-lit but flat,” with one streaming exec saying the couple “aren’t natural content creators”.
- Polo was described as quickly forgotten — a doc buried deep in Netflix’s menus.
Indiatimes pointed out that, while With Love, Meghan initially made Netflix’s Top 10, it tanked, failing to land in the top 300 programs for the first half of 2025. Critics and audiences dismissed content as “basic,” “tone-deaf,” and misaligned with public expectations, with Reddit summing it up:
“Launching a lifestyle series in today’s political and social climate feels tone-deaf and out of touch,” and
“I like her, but she’s no Martha… basic… not going to work in today’s environment.”
Next Steps: New Deals and Future Projects
Although the current multi-year deal ends in September, sources suggest the Sussexes may pivot to a first-look-style agreement with Netflix. This would give the platform priority consideration without the cost of an exclusive contract, a similar arrangement to what earlier existed with the Obamas.
Moreover, Season 2 of With Love, Meghan has already been filmed and will premiere this fall, promising celebrity guests like Chrissy Teigen and chef José Andrés. The show continues to evolve under their Archewell Productions banner.
Meanwhile, speculation is rife that other streaming platforms, including Paramount+, may seek collaboration opportunities if suitable content proposals emerge.
Financial & Personal Implications
The end of their Netflix arrangement could represent a significant financial setback, as the deal provided what many analysts viewed as the foundation for their post-royal funding and media empire ambitions. Industry pundits warn that if Harry and Meghan do not reduce their “expensive lifestyle,” they may face financial pressures or even risk bankruptcy.
However, they continue to diversify their pursuits, with Meghan focusing on the As Ever brand (jam and wine) in partnership with Netflix’s consumer products wing, while the couple remains active in their Montecito-based philanthropic and media enterprises.
Final Take
In the end, the conclusion of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s $100 million Netflix deal represents both a business transition and a content milestone. The couple leaves behind a mixed legacy: one groundbreaking docuseries, other efforts falling short, and a changing streaming industry environment. As they move forward, their adaptability will dictate whether they secure fresh footing through smaller contracts, new platforms, or other creative avenues.
By – Sonali