A bombshell report from Hollywood’s most influential showbiz publication has painted a bleak picture of the future between Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and Netflix — suggesting their once-glittering deal is rapidly losing momentum.
According to insiders cited by Variety, the partnership between the Sussexes and the streaming giant has been “far from a fairy tale,” with frustration reportedly mounting behind closed doors. Sources claim executives have grown weary of what they see as a repeated narrative surrounding the couple’s royal exit, with one insider bluntly stating: “The mood in the building is ‘We’re done.’”
The report alleges that Netflix has become increasingly disillusioned with the couple’s output, pointing to “lacklustre” performance figures for projects such as With Love, Meghan, which failed to generate the buzz executives had hoped for. Their production company, Archewell Productions, is also accused of “poor communication,” further straining relations.
Behind the scenes, tensions are said to have been exacerbated by decisions that caught Netflix off guard — including the couple’s explosive Oprah Winfrey interview and Prince Harry’s memoir Spare. According to sources, both projects were seen as undermining Netflix’s own content plans, leaving the company “annoyed” and “blindsided.”
There are even claims — strongly denied — that Netflix boss Ted Sarandos had become so frustrated he would only join calls involving Meghan if a lawyer was present. Representatives for both Netflix and the Sussexes have dismissed this as “absolutely inaccurate” and “blatantly false,” insisting Meghan maintains regular contact with Sarandos and has even visited his home without legal intermediaries.
The article also delves into Meghan’s working style, with some insiders alleging she tends to speak over Prince Harry in meetings or reshape his comments mid-conversation. Her lawyer has pushed back firmly, arguing such claims play into “misogynistic characterisations” and are categorically untrue — a stance Harry himself supports.
Further criticism centres on Meghan’s approach during virtual meetings, with claims she occasionally disappears from Zoom calls when displeased. Her legal team counters that she works from home while raising young children, which can naturally interrupt calls.
Despite the global success of their debut documentary Harry & Meghan, the report suggests enthusiasm in Hollywood has cooled, with A-list creatives reportedly hesitant to collaborate and several projects quietly shelved. Even with a “first look” deal still technically in place, industry insiders say there is little appetite for new ventures involving Archewell.
The situation appears to have worsened following the quiet collapse of Meghan’s lifestyle brand As Ever, which had been tied to Netflix’s consumer products arm. Both the brand and the accompanying show now seem to have faded, with only vague promises of “seasonal specials” remaining.
Critics have not held back either. A recent festive episode of With Love, Meghan was slammed as “unlikeable,” with reviewers citing a lack of self-awareness and authenticity.
Yet, even as one door appears to close, another opens. Meghan is now set to headline an exclusive women-only luxury retreat in Sydney, where guests paying up to £1,700 will gain access to a gala dinner, wellness sessions, and a photo opportunity with the Duchess.
However, controversy has already followed the event, with reports that the organiser’s PR agency collapsed under a substantial tax debt — raising fresh questions about the ventures surrounding the Sussex brand.
After five years marked by high expectations, mixed results and mounting scrutiny, the question now looms larger than ever: are Harry and Meghan still living the Hollywood dream they once envisioned — or watching it quietly slip away?
