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Netflix 'done' with Harry and Meghan after 'lacklustre' ratings

Author
NZ Herald,
Publish Date
Wed, 18 Mar 2026, 8:53pm
Recent Netflix shows from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have reportedly attracted "lacklustre" ratings. Photo / Kevin Mazur / Getty Images
Recent Netflix shows from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have reportedly attracted "lacklustre" ratings. Photo / Kevin Mazur / Getty Images

Netflix 'done' with Harry and Meghan after 'lacklustre' ratings

Author
NZ Herald,
Publish Date
Wed, 18 Mar 2026, 8:53pm

Streaming giant Netflix is reportedly “done” with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, with insiders claiming the couple’s ratings have been “lacklustre”.

The Sussexes signed a reported US$150 million ($242.5m) deal with Netflix in 2020, shortly after their exit from the royal family.

However, an extensive article published by the Hollywood trade publication Variety today cited six Netflix sources who claimed the relationship between the Sussexes and the streamer was “far from a fairy tale”.

“[The couple’s] perceived pattern of selling repackaged versions of the same story about their exit from royal life has exhausted Netflix,” the magazine said.

“Their partnership may continue to taper off, and with it will Meghan and Harry’s remaining showbusiness lifeline.”

“The mood in the building is ‘We’re done’,” one source said.

Their first offering, the six-part documentary Harry & Meghan, was a smash hit, going on to become one of the platform’s top-viewed documentaries.

However, With Love, Meghan, Markle’s docu-reality show, was savaged by critics and cancelled after two seasons.

Variety claimed the show primarily became a “vehicle” for the Suits actor’s homewares brand, As Ever.

The magazine reported the show’s underwhelming ratings and the couple’s “bedside manner”, which allegedly “ruffled feathers” during meetings, led to concerns at Netflix.

It also alleged communication between the Duke and Duchess’ company Archewell Productions and Netflix was poor.

Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria said Archewell had been a “thoughtful and collaborative partner”.

She said the Duke and Duchess were “deeply engaged in the storytelling process and [brought] a unique, global perspective that aligns with the kinds of impactful projects our members respond to”.

Chief executive Ted Sarandos was also reported to have become “fed up” with the couple, who allegedly refused to speak to him “unless a lawyer was present on the line”.

A Netflix spokesperson denied Sarandos made the comment, labelling the claim “absolutely inaccurate”.

The Sussexes’ lawyer also denied the allegation, insisting “Meghan texts and speaks with Mr Sarandos regularly, and has been to his home, sans lawyers”.

Last week, Netflix announced it was parting ways with Markle’s As Ever business.

Speaking to Variety, several sources claimed US$10m worth of unsold As Ever products were left in Netflix’s possession after With Love, Meghan’s flagging ratings.

Employees were allegedly given the unpurchased goods for free, with the products left on card tables around several office buildings.

An Archewell spokesperson claimed the sample giveaways were standard practice.

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