Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are diving into something new with an OTT giant: a scripted drama series all about polo. The announcement comes right after reports that their relationship with the streaming giant is a bit rocky. Still, they’re not slowing down.Here’s all we know about what’s going on with their latest project, their deal, and the drama behind the scenes.
A polo drama: What’s the project about?
First, let’s talk about the new show. Per People, Meghan and Harry will co-produce a series set in Wellington, Florida, which is famous for its equestrian scene. According to Deadline, the story centers on two rival polo teams and the complicated families behind them. It’s supposed to have plenty of drama, both on and off the field. If you remember, Harry already dipped his toes into the polo world with his documentary series ‘Polo’, though that one didn’t exactly break streaming records when it landed on the streaming platform.Harry’s no stranger to polo; he’s played for years, mostly for charity. This time, though, he and Meghan are teaming up with Archewell Productions (their company), plus Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage of Fake Empire, to try out scripted TV.This isn’t the only thing they’ve got with the streaming giant. Last year, Meghan and Harry extended their partnership with a multi-year, first-look deal through Archewell. That includes film and TV adaptations like ‘The Wedding Date’ (from Jasmine Guillory’s book) and ‘Meet Me at the Lake’ (from Carley Fortune’s novel), which now even has a director attached.
Meghan and Harry’s ‘strained’ relationship with Netflix
Now, about the rumors about trouble between the Sussexes and the OTT giant: just a few days before this new show announcement, a Variety report claimed things were tense. There have been some hiccups, as Meghan’s lifestyle brand, ‘As Ever’, had a brief partnership with the streaming giant that fizzled out, reportedly losing money and leaving a bunch of unsold products. And not all their content has been a hit. ‘Polo’ didn’t really catch on, leading some to wonder how strong their long-term partnership with the streaming giant really is.Variety also reported that the OTT platform felt blindsided when Harry and Meghan sat down for their big Oprah interview in 2021 and later when Harry’s memoir, Spare, dropped in 2023. However, representatives for both sides have pushed back, saying the reports aren’t true, and Netflix’s Chief Content Officer, Bela Bajaria, brushed off the drama, telling people not to believe everything they read.
The Sussex’s OTT run
Since signing their big deal in 2020, Meghan and Harry have mostly stuck to documentaries and lifestyle shows. Their biggest hit so far is ‘Harry & Meghan’, the docuseries from 2022, which gave viewers a close look at their relationship, wedding, and their decision to step away from royal life. They also released ‘Heart of Invictus’, ‘Live to Lead’, and ‘Polo’. Next up was ‘With Love, Meghan’, a lifestyle and cooking show set for 2025.However, until now, scripted drama was missing from their resume. This new series could be a real game-changer, letting them branch out and possibly cementing their place in streaming platform’s lineup.As for ‘As Ever’, the OTT giant and the brand officially parted ways earlier this month. The brand claimed that it was growing fast and ready to go solo. A spokesperson told People, “We have experienced meaningful and rapid growth, and as ever, is now ready to stand on its own. We have an exciting year ahead and can’t wait to share more.”Another source close to the brand added, “It’s a really exciting time for As ever, and Meghan is building with her team and enjoying the creative fulfillment that comes with creating a brand that’s so close to the life she authentically lives. This year is really about establishing the brand and scaling it.”
