Prince Harry And Meghan Markle have joined the increasing list of celebrities affected by the Hollywood writers and SAG-AFTRA strike.
A recent report revealed that it would be “tough” for the couple to move on with their upcoming projects with Netflix.
They were reportedly in talks with the streaming platform to start producing a new documentary focusing on humanitarian issues in South Africa.
Keep on reading to learn more.
Prince Harry & Meghan Markle’s Projects Face Delay
According to the Daily Mail, the upcoming Netflix projects of Harry and Meghan have experienced a significant setback due to the ongoing Hollywood writers’ strike.
It comes after contract negotiations between Hollywood stakeholders – actors’ union Sag-Aftra, Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers – reached an impasse last Friday.
As a result, over 150,000 actors, including Hilary Duff, Bob Odenkirk, and Kevin Bacon, have gone on strike nationwide, joining the over 11,000 members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) who initiated the strike in May.
Per a source, the current situation will make it “tough” for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to continue their proposed projects in collaboration with the streaming giant.
The couple are not the only ones affected, as other actors are also facing restrictions on filming new projects and cannot participate in promotional activities.
They Are In Talks With Netflix Over A Humanitarian Film
One of the projects from Harry and Meghan, reportedly impacted by the strike, is a documentary about humanitarian issues in South Africa, which will see them meeting local communities.
The couple talked with Netflix about the project, but it appears all that has been suspended pending the strike’s resolution.
It remains to be seen what exact humanitarian issues the project will focus on, as the Sussexes or the streaming giant has made no announcement.
However, a source recently told The Sunday Mirror that a key part would see the couple share “medical education” in the villages they visit.
Per the Daily Mail, the source said, “Meghan is particularly keen to share information about giving birth safely with the women she meets.”
Prince Harry & Meghan Markle’s Other Netflix Projects
Harry and Meghan previously debuted a six-part documentary, “Harry & Meghan,” as part of their $100 million partnership between their Archewell production and Netflix.
The show gave a never-before-seen insight into the couple’s love story. Also, it included several bombshells about their strained relationship with the senior royals before quitting The Firm in 2020.
After debuting on the streaming platform, “Harry & Meghan” became Netflix’s biggest debut and second-highest-ranked documentary debut. It was recently nominated for a Hollywood Critics Award in the Best Streaming Nonfiction category, although it missed an Emmy nod despite being tipped to score one.
Harry and Meghan’s deal with the streaming giant has also borne a second production, “Live to Lead,” which focused on influencers and global leaders sharing their inspiring stories. A third show, “Heart of Invictus,” will debut later this year and center on the lives of physically challenged service members participating in the Invictus Games.
Netflix And The Sussexes Will Continue To Work Together
Speculations that Netflix might be looking to end their relationship with the Sussexes arose recently after the couple mutually ended their Spotify deal.
Reports at the time claimed that Spotify chose to end it all because the couple’s podcast series, “Archetypes,” which only produced 13 hours of content, did not live up to its potential.
“Although ‘Archetypes’ did well and got a couple of awards, when you go into a deal like this, to have just one series over that course of time is not great,” an insider said, according to Page Six.
However, Netflix put to bed those rumors in a statement where they expressed their wish to continue their working relationship with Meghan and Harry, per People.
“We value our partnership with Archewell Productions…. we’ll continue to work together on several projects, including the upcoming documentary series Heart of Invictus,” read a statement from Netflix’s rep.