What to expect on Netflix thanks to Harry and Meghan's new deal
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Daily Mail
10 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Royal fans accuse Meghan Markle of 'copying' Kate with 'festive' new Netflix announcement
Royal fans have accused Meghan Markle of 'copying' the Princess of Wales after it was revealed the second season of the Duchess's 'With Love, Meghan' lifestyle show will include a Christmas special. Fans have compared it to the festive productions created by Kate Middleton, 43. These include her 2019 collaboration with Mary Berry on a seasonal cookery programme, and her annual carol service, titled Royal Carols: Together At Christmas, which is typically broadcast on ITV1 on December 24. Yesterday, it was announced that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have signed a new 'multi-year, first look deal for film and television projects' with Netflix, which has been described as a downgrade on their previous contract with the streamer. The couple's new output is slated to include a second season of the Duchess's lifestyle show released later this month, as well as a Christmas special titled With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration, in December. Fans have criticised the news, accusing the Suits actress, 44, of 'copying' Kate by releasing a Christmas episode. Writing on X (formerly Twitter) one said: 'Anything to compete with Catherine. A December holiday special, really?' A second lamented: 'A Christmas special?! Good grief, is there NOTHING Meghan won't attempt to do better than Catherine, Princess of Wales - and fail MISERABLY at? Just when I thought we would take up a Netflix subscription again.' Other fans feared the two productions could have clashing release dates. A third wrote: 'Meghan's "Christmas Special" may clash with the Princess of Wales 'Together at Christmas' concert?! Oh I am in no doubts that Meghan would push for that date specifically!' 'So Just like Princess Catherine's Holiday special then! The difference is Megan has no Royals or family attending hers!' another commented. 'What is sad certain accounts on here will promote it if it lands on the same day as Catherine's Christmas special and give her free publicity instead of ignoring Meghan.' In 2024, Kate held her fourth festive concert at Westminster Abbey, delighting fans with her appearance after enduring what she described as 'probably the hardest year of my life'. The Princess attended the concert on December 6 alongside her husband, Prince William, 43, and three children, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven. Fans will also likely be referencing Kate's 's 2019 Christmas show, a BBC show featuring baking legend Mary Berry titled A Berry Royal Christmas special. Unlike Meghan's latest venture, the production was a charitable project featuring the Princess and Prince William joining forces with the former Great British Bake Off star to volunteer with local communities to prepare festive food over the Christmas period. The programme was warmly received at the time. It included various cooking confessions from Kate, who said she loves to bake and that she grows her own vegetables. Announcing the news of the extended creative partnership yesterday, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said the second season of their show would include 'a new special holiday episode'. The festive programme was warmly received at the time. It included various cooking confessions from Kate, who said she loves to bake and that she grows her own vegetables. Their statement read: 'This December, join Meghan in Montecito for a magical holiday celebration,' referencing the California town where the Duke and Duchess of Sussex live with their two children. The new arrangement is a first-look deal, meaning Netflix can say yes or no to new film or TV projects before anyone else. One of the projects the Sussexes are working on Masaka Kids, A Rhythm Within - a documentary about orphaned children in Uganda, where the 'shadows of the HIV /Aids crisis linger'. There is also 'active development' on other projects with Netflix which 'span a variety of content genres', including an adaptation of romantic novel Meet Me At The Lake. Netflix has already released the first series of With Love, Meghan as well as Polo, Heart of Invictus, Live to Lead and the couple's bombshell documentary Harry & Meghan as well as being a business partner on Meghan's lifestyle brand, As Ever. Five years ago, Harry and Meghan secured a lucrative contract thought to be worth $100million (£74million) with Netflix after quitting as senior working royals in 2020. The renewed deal was described by the Sussexes - who made the announcement with Netflix - as 'extending their creative partnership' through Archewell Productions. But the new terms are understood to be worth less for Harry and Meghan than their previous contract, according to a person familiar with the deal, and they represent Netflix loosening its ties with the couple. Leading publicist Mark Borkowski told the Daily Mail: 'They have shot the golden goose of 2020 - more of a "we'll call you" than "here's the chequebook". 'It's a first-look deal, which means Netflix gets first dibs but no obligation to bankroll every semi-royal whim. I reckon Netflix is trimming fat industry-wide, so this is less carte blanche, more curated cameo. 'They're still in business together - Meghan's. As ever brand and seasonal specials keep them in the Netflix shop window but make no mistake, this is a slimmed-down sequel to the blockbuster original. So Harry and Meghan's new Netflix chapter [is] less champagne budget, more Prosecco by the glass.' Netflix said Harry & Meghan, which came out in December 2022, was a huge success with a total of 23.4million views, making it the most viewed documentary ever through its first four days and reaching the English Top 10 TV list in 85 countries. But With Love, Meghan failed to break into Netflix's top ten programmes - or even the top 300, as it ranked at number 383 in 2025 so far for the streaming giant with just 5.3million viewers across the globe since it was first broadcast in March. However, the Duchess said today: '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.' 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.' Brand and culture expert Nick Ede said: '[Netflix] know that with Meghan and Harry there will always be interest and they won't want to lose them to a rival streamer so this is a good way of keeping them as part of the Netflix family but not spending as much as they did previously, when only two of the content that was created were real winners for the streamer.' Mr Ede added: 'I think that Polo and Heart of Invictus were pretty niche shows and didn't rate well. They have probably seen the slate that archewell has created for their future productions and pitches are interesting and may be developed more for the streaming service.' As Ever is Meghan's lifestyle brand which also sells cookie mix, herb tea, flower sprinkles and jams – and launched a new Napa Valley rosé wine last Friday. In March the Duchess launched her new podcast series 'Confessions Of A Female Founder' with Lemonada Media, which included an interview with Beyonce's mother Tina Knowles. Meghan's Archetypes series about female stereotypes in 2022 ran for just one series, and was part of the Sussexes' previous multi-million-pound deal with Spotify, which ended the year after. Last month a Netflix source claimed Harry and Meghan's hopes of a new Netflix deal were 'dead' after Polo and With Love, Meghan both flopped in the ratings. The insider was quoted as saying: 'This deal is dead. She had everything going for her - name, platform, press - and the numbers were dismal. They're just waiting for the credits to roll. They're letting it expire without drama. There's no appetite for anything new.'
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's new Netflix deal could cause ‘concern' for Royal Family
A royal expert has shared why the Sussex's new agreement with the streaming giant could spark anxiety within the Firm over deep-seated fears of history repeating itself Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 's new deal with Netflix could be cause for 'concern' for the Royal Family, according to an expert. The Sussexes have signed a "multi-year, first look deal for film and television projects" with the streaming giant, as Meghan announced on Monday in a statement. Despite Harry and Meghan's excitement to 'extend their creative partnership' with Netflix, one royal commentator believes the new deal could spell disaster for the R oyal Family, as it has done in the past. During their previous five-year deal with Netflix, the documentary series Harry & Meghan - which was highly critical of the Firm - pulled in over 20 million viewers. It comes as Prince Harry's sour rift with William poses awkward dilemma as big royal event looms. Now, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams believes the Royal Family will be 'concerned' about the new agreement, as they 'don't trust' the Sussexes to not create another series slamming the Firm. Fitzwilliams told the Express: 'Bela Bajaria, Netflix's Content Officer, whilst praising the Sussexes, laid special emphasis on how popular 'Harry and Meghan', their kiss and tell series where they gave viewers a unique glimpse into their personal lives and also attacked the Royal Family, was. 'Let's just hope, as things seem so uncertain for them, that they aren't planning another such series!' Discussing how the Royal Family will feel about the deal, Mr Fitzwilliams said: "This will concern the Royal Family as they don't trust the Sussexes and they did it (a damaging series) before. It is sadly all too clear that, however deplorable it is, it would be very lucrative." The royal commentator also speculated whether the new deal is actually as lucrative as fans may think, in comparison to their previous five-year package which is thought to be worth more than 100 million dollars (£74 million). 'They (Harry and Meghan) will obviously welcome the new Netflix deal as far as it goes, but it may well be for far less than the original was. They have a brand which has considerable reach but one must ask, is the new deal a figleaf to hide their failure to be A-listers in Hollywood?' The Sussexes' new deal was announced on Monday, as Meghan issued a statement saying: '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.' Bela Bajaria, Netflix's Chief Content Officer, added: 'Harry and Meghan are influential voices whose stories resonate with audiences everywhere. The response to their work speaks for itself. We're excited to continue our partnership with Archewell Productions and to entertain our members together."
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Meghan and Harry tease new Netflix documentary on a group of African orphans who turned their 'hardships into joy' after gaining fame from dance videos - and fans are drawing parallels
One of the upcoming projects part of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry 's 'first look' deal with Netflix is a short documentary about an African orphanage in Uganda. The orphanage is home to the Masaka Kids, a dancing troupe comprising children aged two and above that has found widespread fame online. The group's story forms the foundation for the movie titled 'Masaka Kids, A Rhythm Within' and will be part of the Sussexes' new downgraded Netflix contract that offers the streamer first rights to future film and TV projects. However, social media users have criticised Harry and Meghan, both of whom have producer credits on the documentary, for belittling the subject in a press release from the couple's production company Archewell. According to the joint statement released by the Sussexes and Netflix, the film 'goes beyong the viral videos to reveal a vibrant, one-of-a-kind community where orphaned children transform hardship into joy, dancing their way toward the promise of a brighter future'. However, the synopsis was branded 'more MeMe word salad' from the Sussexes as outraged social media users said the statement appeared to 'trivialise the hardships of others for self-glorification'. The movie's logline, some pointed out, echoes the language used by the 44-year-old Duchess of Sussex in interviews and media appearances since quitting the Royal Family and relocating to California with Prince Harry. Others accused the couple of monetising the hardship endured by others while simultaneously drawing parallels with their own lives as the couple have frequently spoken about using overcoming challenges by creating moments of joy and celebration. Last August, Meghan opened up about embracing a 'chapter of joy' that presumably followed her tumultuous stay in the UK as a senior Royal after marrying Prince Harry during a speech at Oprah Winfrey's book club meeting. During her quasi-royal tour of Colombia with the Duke of Sussex around the same time, Meghan linked joy to the practice of gratitude - in an address echoing self-help guru Brene Brown - while discussing how we can continue to 'inspire and create change'. She told the panel in Colombia: 'From my standpoint, how I will continue to express this, both through our foundation and through being able to move through the world, I suppose, is just looking at this as my chapter of joy. 'And the more that you are able to look at your life and really, truly, recognise that if you're going to be grateful for your life, you have to be grateful for all aspects of it. 'The parts that were opportunities of growth and may have felt very difficult as well as the parts that feel inspiring, joyful and full.' Reddit users noted the short note about the documentary had left a bitter taste, as one person said: 'Yeah, let's watch a bunch of underprivileged children dance their way to healing! More MeMe word salad.' A similar comment read: 'Watch those two try to turn hardship into a TikTok dance trend. They are not healing wounds. They are selling tickets to the spectacle. Please tell Netflix to hire crisis consultants and just STOP. 'The reality is, people paying for Netflix are not looking for Ugandan orphans. That is a program better suited for PBS.' Another shared: 'Ugh! I wonder who wrote that patronising, puerile, ignorant, exploitive, superficial c**p. Just get some poor Ugandan kids to dance and their hardships will be transformed into joy, they will be healed, they will belong, their future will be brighter. What an utter bunch of s***. They noted that while 'dancing can help with trauma', it cannot magically turn it 'into joy', adding: 'True to form, H & M trivialise the hardships of others for self-glorification - remember when Meg made a big deal of donating makeup to young women who had lost their homes in wildfires.' A similar message posted on Reddit read: 'Yes, splendind, just what the world needs! Those two producing a dance therapy session for orphans - because nothing screams authenticity like orchestrated joy to distract from decades of headline chaos. 'Tragedy becoming the circus backdrop for their self-serving narrative.' One person pointed out that the Masaka Kids and Meghan have similar online followings, adding: 'Masaka Kids has a YouTube channel with 4.1 Million subs, what exactly is Harry and Meghan bringing to the table?' In fact, it is Meghan's Instagram follower count currently stands at 4.1 million - about 200,000 short of the Masaka Kids's 4.3 million YouTube subscribers. Some were, however, supportive of their endeavour, with one X user writing: 'Yay, Ugandan that they are doing a documentary about those lovely kids! It will increase their visibility.' Commenting on the optics of the docuseries from a branding perspective, expert Chad Teixeira told the Daily Mail 'the choice to be involved in Masaka Kids, A Rhythm Within aligns closely with the Sussexes' ongoing narrative of resilience, purpose, and elevating stories that might otherwise be overlooked'. The movie's logline, some pointed out, echoes the language used by the 44-year-old Duchess of Sussex in interviews and media appearances since quitting the Royal Family and relocating to California with Prince Harry However, he added, 'there is a clear disparity between the Sussexes' lived experiences and those of the children in Uganda's Masaka region, and this is where careful narrative framing is essential'. Chad cautioned: 'Handled sensitively, this project reinforces their brand positioning as cultural storytellers and advocates for human resilience. 'It also strategically taps into a universal emotional thread, that joy can be a radical act in the face of hardship, without diluting the gravity of the children's reality. 'The key will be in ensuring their commentary keeps the focus firmly on the children and the community, positioning themselves as facilitators of visibility rather than co-protagonists in the narrative.' Netflix and Archewell Productions on Monday released all the details about their new 'multi-year, first look deal for film and television projects' that experts have said is a downgrade on their earlier $100million contract. The renewed deal was described by the Sussexes - who made the announcement with Netflix - as 'extending their creative partnership' through Archewell Productions. However, the new terms are understood to be less lucrative for the Sussexes than their previous contract under which they released the bombshell, two-part docuseries about the hardships they endured before stepping down as senior Royals. Netflix said Harry & Meghan, which came out in December 2022, was a huge success with a total of 23.4million views, making it the most viewed documentary ever through its first four days and reaching the English Top 10 TV list in 85 countries. But With Love, Meghan - Meghan's recently renewed lifestyle series - failed to break into Netflix's top ten programmes - or even the top 300, as it ranked at number 383 in 2025 so far for the streaming giant with just 5.3million viewers across the globe since it was first broadcast in March. The announcement about the new docuseries comes after a spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex confirmed he is considering starting a new African charity to rival Sentebale after he quit following a race row. The Duke last week walked away from the charity following a damning report. But, as exclusively revealed by the Mail on Sunday, his spokesperson has now confirmed Harry is weighing up how to carry on supporting the region. 'The duke remains absolutely committed to continuing the work he started, supporting the children and young people of Lesotho and Botswana, nearly 20 years ago,' the spokesperson said today. 'In what form that support takes - no decisions have been made.
