Prince Harry & Meghan Markle‘s Netflix deal ends after 5 years, bringing closure to a notable chapter in their post-royal lives. The streaming platform has chosen not to renew their multi-year production agreement upon its expiration in September, signifying the culmination of one of the entertainment industry’s most scrutinized partnerships.
Origins of the Netflix Partnership
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex entered into a $100 million deal with Netflix in 2020, shortly after stepping back from royal duties and relocating to Montecito, California. This agreement gave rise to Archewell Productions, allowing them to create content that resonated with their values and objectives.
A source within the entertainment sector has since confirmed that the couple’s production deal will conclude as both parties move to adapt to changing circumstances. “There’s no animosity from either side,” the insider shared with The Sun. “Things have just run their course.”
Shifts in Netflix’s Strategy
The decision to end the deal reflects a broader trend in Netflix’s strategy regarding large-scale partnerships. The streaming service has similarly restructured its agreements with other prominent figures, including Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground production company, which has transitioned to a first-look arrangement.
Despite the deal’s conclusion, results from their collaboration indicate mutual satisfaction. Netflix garnered substantial viewership and cultural relevance from several projects produced under Archewell, while Harry and Meghan found a platform to advocate for their stories and social causes.
Highlighting Successes
Over the five years, the partnership yielded five significant titles, varying in both commercial and critical traction. The docuseries “Harry & Meghan,” released in 2022, became Netflix’s most-watched documentary premiere and remains the platform’s second most popular documentary series to date.
“Netflix were clever in that they got a hell of a lot of viewers for the first documentary series, and knew, realistically, it would prove the zenith of content from the Montecito pair,” a source noted. “They’re not unhappy with how things turned out — they got those initial hits and produced one of the most talked-about shows of all time.”
Additional projects included “Live to Lead,” “Heart of Invictus,” and “Polo,” each addressing various themes like leadership, resilience, and sportsmanship. Notably, Prince Harry served as an executive producer for “Polo,” which reached approximately 500,000 households, according to Netflix’s viewership data.
Furthermore, Markle’s lifestyle series “With Love, Meghan,” premiered in March 2025, capturing significant international attention and landing in Netflix’s Global Top 10 across 47 countries. The show achieved 5.3 million views, ranking No. 383 in Netflix’s recent engagement report.
Looking Ahead
Although their Netflix deal is ending, future collaborations with the streaming service are still on the horizon. Markle’s “With Love, Meghan” has already been renewed for a second season, set to premiere this fall, featuring guest star Chrissy Teigen.
Entertainment Weekly reports that the conclusion of their Netflix partnership will not impact the upcoming rollout of the lifestyle series, which has already completed filming, with director Michael Steed returning to direct.
Netflix’s CEO Ted Sarandos has expressed the company’s ongoing interest in Markle’s business ventures, saying: “We’re a passive partner in Meghan’s company, and it’s a big discovery model for us right now.” This relationship extends beyond traditional content creation into consumer products through her As Ever brand.
In their initial statement regarding the Netflix partnership, Harry and Meghan emphasized their dedication to producing meaningful content: “Our focus will be on creating content that informs but also gives hope,” they stated back in 2020. “As new parents, making inspirational family programming is also important to us.”
With the conclusion of their Netflix deal, the couple will likely explore diverse opportunities in the entertainment industry, allowing them to broaden their creative horizons while continuing to build on the foundation they have laid in California.
