Netflix has officially announced the extension of its creative partnership with Archewell Productions, the media company founded by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. This new agreement marks a multiyear, first-look deal for all film and television projects developed by Archewell Productions. However, this arrangement is viewed as a downgrade from the original overall deal established in 2020, which led to the creation of notable projects such as Harry & Meghan, Polo, and With Love, Meghan.
The transition from an overall deal to a first-look deal mirrors a similar strategy Netflix employed recently with the Obamas and their production company, Higher Ground. This shift signifies a reduction in exclusivity associated with the original agreements, which were designed to spotlight high-profile collaborations. As part of this new deal, Netflix is also joining forces with Markle’s lifestyle brand, As Ever.
Meghan Markle expressed her enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “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.”
Netflix's Chief Content Officer, Bela Bajaria, highlighted the significance of Harry and Meghan as influential storytellers. “Harry and Meghan are influential voices whose stories resonate with audiences everywhere. The response to their work speaks for itself,” Bajaria remarked. She noted that the documentary series Harry & Meghan offered viewers a unique glimpse into the couple's lives, quickly becoming one of Netflix’s most-watched documentary series. Furthermore, the recent launch of With Love, Meghan has seen products from the As Ever line selling out at record speed, further solidifying the partnership’s impact.
The documentary series Harry & Meghan premiered on Netflix in December 2022, amassing an impressive 23.4 million views within its first four days, making it the fifth most popular documentary series in Netflix history. Audiences can look forward to the second season of With Love, Meghan, set to debut later this month, alongside a new holiday special slated for release in December. Archewell Productions is also working on a feature film titled Meet Me at the Lake, based on the bestselling novel by Carley Fortune, as well as the documentary short Masaka Kids, A Rhythm Within. This project is a collaboration between Archewell and Campfire Studios, in association with Wontanara Productions.
The documentary Masaka Kids, A Rhythm Within aims to shed light on a small orphanage in Uganda’s Masaka region, which serves as a beacon of hope amidst the ongoing challenges posed by the HIV/AIDS crisis. The logline for the documentary states, “Masaka Kids, A Rhythm Within goes beyond the viral videos to reveal a vibrant, one-of-a-kind community where orphaned children transform hardship into joy, dancing their way toward healing, belonging, and the promise of a brighter future.” This project exemplifies the core mission of Archewell Productions to create impactful, meaningful content that resonates with audiences worldwide.
