HARRY and Meghan have extended their deal with Netflix.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have signed a new “multi-year, first look deal for film and television projects” with Netflix, the couple has announced.
Lifestyle and cookery show With Love, Meghan only ranked at number 383 in Netflix’s six-monthly engagement report[/caption]
Harry and Meghan have made a new deal with Netflix[/caption]
It was understood that Netflix bosses were mildly infuriated by Meghan making her As Ever brand a priority[/caption]
Described by one critic as an “exercise in narcissism”, it was beaten by reruns of the first four seasons of legal drama Suits[/caption]
Meghan said in a statement: “We’re proud to extend our partnership with Netflix and expand our work together to include the As ever brand.
“My husband and I feel inspired by our partners who work closely with us and our Archewell Productions team to create thoughtful content across genres that resonates globally, and celebrates our shared vision.”
On top of Season 2 of With Love, Meghan, they will also do a “Holiday Celebration” Christmas special this December.
“Join Meghan in Montecito for a magical holiday celebration,” the announcement reads.
“Together, friends and family deck the halls, create holiday feasts, craft heartfelt gifts, and share lots of laughs – with simple how-tos to follow at home. It’s a holiday wonder with warmth, tradition, and a generous dose of joy.”
There will also be a short film called”Masaka Kids, A Rhythm Within”.
It will look at Uganda’s Masaka region, and the HIV/AIDS crisis linger.
A statement added: “Archewell Productions is in active development on additional projects with Netflix that span a variety of content genres, including the feature adaptation of the bestselling novel by Carley Fortune, Meet Me At The Lake.
“This romantic drama follows a decade-spanning love story that begins with a chance encounter and a broken promise.”
Bela Bajaria, Netflix’s Chief Content Officer, said: “Harry and Meghan are influential voices whose stories resonate with audiences everywhere.
“The response to their work speaks for itself — Harry & Meghan gave viewers an intimate look into their lives and quickly became one of our most-watched documentary series.
“More recently, fans have been inspired by With Love, Meghan, with products from the new As ever line consistently selling out in record time.
“We’re excited to continue our partnership with Archewell Productions and to entertain our members together.”
It was previously thought that the Sussexes’ £78million deal with the streamer was not going to be renewed.
Harry’s vanity project, Polo, about the sport, was watched by just 500,000 people.
It was also understood that bosses were mildly infuriated by Meghan making her As Ever brand a priority.
The With Love, Meghan viewing figures have reportedly been “dismal”.
Lifestyle and cookery show With Love, Meghan only ranked at number 383 in Netflix’s six-monthly engagement report this year, with just 5.3million viewers across the globe.
Described by one critic as an “exercise in narcissism”, it was beaten by reruns of the first four seasons of legal drama Suits, which also starred the Duchess in her pre-royal days.
Once judged by some as Britain’s greatest soft power asset since Princess Diana, Meghan was filmed for her show making ladybird-shaped canapes from cherry tomatoes and mozzarella balls.
In truth, the show is a smash hit compared to her husband’s vanity docuseries Polo, blasted as “a dull indulgence about a rich person’s pursuit”.
In the first six months of the year the programme attracted a disastrous 500,000 views globally, ranking it at number 3,442 out of around 7,000 shows.
Reruns of the nine-year-old cartoon He-Man And The Masters Of The Universe scored similar numbers.
It was also recently announced Netflix had signed a deal with King Charles and Idris Elba for a documentary exploring the impact of the King’s Trust.
It comes as the streaming giant is making a new season of With Love, Meghan.
The Duchess of Sussex’s lifestyle show was widely derided by viewers and reviewers alike.
But the huge interest in the programme, which features Meghan with cameos from husband Prince Harry, convinced bosses to give it another outing.
The duchess posted on Instagram at the time saying she’s “thrilled” with the decision.
Wearing a Netflix cap she was seen grinning in a short clip on her stories, with the caption: “Lettuce romaine calm… or not(!) because I’m thrilled to share that Season 2 of ‘With Love, Meghan’ is coming!”
With Love, Meghan is the second Netflix collaboration for the Sussexes, who signed a lucrative multi-million pound deal with the streaming giant back in 2020.
The Duchess of Sussex’s podcast Confessions of a Female Founder — focusing on entrepreneurs — also dropped out of the Spotify Top 100 lists in the US and UK.
Ingrid Seward, of Majesty magazine, said of the 43-year-old’s podcasts: “They are deeply dull. I don’t think she’s at the cutting edge.
“She hasn’t pressed the right buttons this time. She’s just not talented enough. She appears to be pretty complacent and shameless about what she does. It’s just boring.”
With Love, Meghan was released to tie in with the launch of the Duchess of Sussex’s As Ever brand.
However both her Netflix series and her brand have been slammed by royal experts time and time again.
Speaking on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show, broadcaster Esther Krakue questioned the point of the eight-part With Love, Meghan, which saw the duchess hosting celeb pals such as Mindy Kaling and Abigail Spencer.
The Netflix series saw Meghan making guest baskets, beeswax candles, and a single skillet spaghetti, filmed at a farmhouse near her £12million Montecito mansion.
Esther shared: “There’s nothing there.
“She’s very, like – I’m not saying this to be horrible – she is not an entertainer or an entertaining person.”
After signing on the Sussexes in a deal reportedly worth £78million over five years, Netflix has so far created a Harry & Meghan documentary, Invictus and Polo.
Despite any criticism, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos is said to be in full support of the Duchess of Sussex.
The second series of With Love, Meghan — with no Harry or their children Archie, six, and Lilibet, three — has already been filmed and is due to be screened in the autumn.
It comes as the streaming giant is making a new season of With Love, Meghan[/caption]
Meghan Markle’s ventures after stepping down as a working royal
THE Duchess of Sussex has kept busy since stepping down as a senior working royal in 2020 and relocating to California. Here are some of her business ventures…
- Archewell Foundation – A nonprofit supporting charitable initiatives.
- Netflix Deal – Producing content like Harry & Meghan and With Love, Meghan.
- Archetypes Podcast – Former Spotify show on female stereotypes.
- Clevr Blends – Investment in a women-owned wellness latte brand.
- Cesta Collective – Minority stake in a handbag brand supporting Rwandan artisans.
- As Ever – Previously known as American Riviera Orchard lifestyle brand selling jam.
- ShopMy Page – Online store featuring her curated fashion and beauty items.
- New Podcast – Confessions of a Female Founder focusing on entrepreneurship.
