In a move that may surprise some and excite others, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, are embarking on two new television projects for the streaming giant Netflix. The pair, who signed a multi-year deal with the platform back in 2020, are diving into the worlds of lifestyle entertainment and sports documentaries.
The Lifestyle Series: Meghan’s Foray into Domestic Bliss
According to reports, Meghan Markle will be taking center stage in a brand new lifestyle series celebrating “the joys of cooking, gardening, entertaining, and friendship.” The former actress, who previously ran a lifestyle blog called The Tig, seems poised to follow in the footsteps of domestic mavens like Martha Stewart, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Ina Garten.
Leah Hariton, who has producing credits on Selena Gomez’s cooking show “Selena + Chef,” has been tapped as the showrunner for this untitled Meghan Markle vehicle. Insiders suggest the Duchess hopes to carve out her own niche in the highly competitive lifestyle arena by offering an intimate look into her home life while sharing tips, tricks and personal stories.
“The reason Martha, Joanna and Gwyneth have crushed it is because they’ve let viewers into their most private spaces and shared their biggest secrets,” noted Rachel Richardson of the Highly Flammable trends newsletter. “Authenticity is key in the lifestyle arena and those that succeed tend to be willing to share their whole lives.”
Richardson cautioned that for Meghan to truly thrive in this realm, she’ll need to be more open than ever before. “In ‘Harry & Meghan’ and the Oprah interview, Meghan let cameras capture some aspects of her private life. But to pull off a successful lifestyle show she’ll have to be prepared to swing the door all the way open.”
A Sporting Documentary with Royal Ties
While Meghan dips her toes into Martha Stewart’s domain, her husband Prince Harry will be overseeing a documentary series focused on one of his longtime passions: polo. The untitled project is already in production at the prestigious US Open Polo Championship in Wellington, Florida.
Though Harry himself won’t be starring in the series, he is expected to make cameo appearances and act as an expert guide into the elite world of competitive polo. Having played the sport for many years to raise funds for his Sentebale charity, the Prince is distinctly qualified to pull back the curtain on this opulent, international pastime.
Sources indicate the show will give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the glitz, glamour and immense skill required to compete at the highest levels of polo. From scorching sun-soaked fields to lavish après-parties, fans can likely expect an unvarnished peek into a realm few ever experience.
The Netflix Gambit
The couple’s move into dual Netflix originals comes on the heels of their headline-making documentary “Harry & Meghan,” which drew over 81 million households in just its first three weeks. Despite some criticism that the series aired too much personal drama, its undeniable viewership demonstrates the public’s ongoing fascination with the Sussexes.
By branching out into different genres, Harry and Meghan seem to be laying the groundwork for an extensive slate of programming under their Archewell Productions banner. A lifestyle program starring the charismatic Meghan could help her cement her brand beyond the shadow of the Royal Family. Meanwhile, Harry’s polo project allows him to share his passion for an activity deeply meaningful to him.
The road ahead may prove challenging – the streaming landscape grows more crowded by the day. However, the Sussexes clearly believe their blend of celebrity, storytelling skills, and personal interests can continue captivating global audiences.Will viewers tune in to watch Meghan arrange flower bouquets or Harry wax poetic about chukkers? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: this power couple is swinging for the fences in their bid to become the next major players in televised content.
