Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to make shows with Netflix

Following in the footsteps of Barack and Michelle Obama, it was announced on Wednesday the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had signed a “multi-year” deal with the streaming service 

The timing seems apt for them to dip their toe in Hollywood, given their move to California last year. Under their new, multi-year deal at Netflix, according to the New York Times, the couple will make documentaries, feature films, scripted television shows and children’s series.

“Our lives, both independent of each other and as a couple, have allowed us to understand the power of the human spirit: of courage, resilience, and the need for connection,” Meghan and Harry said in a statement. “Through our work with diverse communities and their environments, to shining a light on people and causes around the world, our focus will be on creating content that informs but also gives hope.”

There are already reportedly several projects in development under the deal, including an innovative nature docu-series and an animated series that celebrates inspiring women.

Their aim is to highlight diverse voices in front of and behind the camera, as well as maintaining diverse hiring practices for key roles at their production company, Archwell, according to further reports on the deal (rumoured to be worth around $150 million).

“As new parents, making inspirational family programming is also important to us, as is powerful storytelling through a truthful and relatable lens,” they added. “We are pleased to work with Ted and the team at Netflix whose unprecedented reach will help us share impactful content that unlocks action.”

A fresh start

Back in January, following their new arrangement stepping down as senior working members of the royal family, their new titles were altered as Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, though Harry will remain a Prince. They will repay the £2.4m public funds used to refurbish Frogmore House, their official residence in Windsor, which will largely remain empty as they have moved to the US – and they will pay their own rent on the property.

They will no longer receive public funding through the Sovereign Grant, although will remain funded privately by the Prince of Wales, though given the substantial size of the Netflix deal, it seems they’ll be fine out on their own.

Related: All you need to know about Harry and Meghan’s official stepping down as working royals

The pair will continue to maintain their private patronages and associations — the duke currently holds 16 patronages, including the Invictus Games Foundation, the Royal Marines and the Rugby Football League; and the duchess four — the National Theatre, the Association of Commonwealth Universities, London-based animal charity Mayhew, and women’s charity Smart Works.

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