Netflix Cancels $300 Million Deal with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry After Emmy Failure

In a shocking turn of events, Netflix has decided to cancel its $300 million deal with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry following the failure of their documentary series, “Harry & Meghan,” to secure any Emmy nominations.

The six-part series, directed by Liz Garbus, was highly anticipated and was expected to be a strong contender in the Outstanding Documentary or Non-Fiction Series category.

The series, which was part of a reported $100 million production deal between Netflix and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, faced intense scrutiny from the British media.

Prior to its debut, Meghan and Harry had signed a multi-year deal worth £40 million with the streaming service, with the expectation that they could earn up to £350 million if they were to win an Emmy award.

However, insider sources reveal that things did not go according to the couple's expectations.

At midnight last night, Liz Garbus received a bombshell call from Netflix, informing her that the series had failed to secure any Emmy nominations.

This came as a huge shock and disappointment to Garbus, marking a significant setback in her filmmaking career.

Following the announcement, Netflix's executives and Garbus met to discuss the situation and ultimately made the decision to terminate their collaboration with Meghan and Harry, canceling any future projects with them.

This move was aimed at avoiding further losses for the streaming giant.

The news of the cancellation was swiftly relayed to Meghan and Harry, shattering their dream of a $100 million contract with Netflix.

An Emmy nomination or win would have been a significant boost for Netflix, as they are currently trailing behind HBO in overall Emmy wins.

It would have helped restore their credibility, especially after the recent scrutiny surrounding their deals with Spotify.

Unfortunately, despite Netflix's substantial investment in the couple and providing them with a top-notch director, it was Meghan and Harry who became the reason for this failure.

Their documentary received a low 19% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and a mediocre 5.1 rating on IMDb, further contributing to its lack of recognition.

While an Emmy nomination or win may have benefited Netflix, it could have had negative implications for the television academy hosting the awards.

The Harcourts, as Meghan and Harry are commonly referred to, have faced allegations of award buying, particularly after the controversial car chase incident.

Any acknowledgement of their work could potentially tarnish the prestige of the Emmy awards themselves.

Moreover, the Harcourts' popularity has been on a downward spiral, exacerbated by the release of this series.

They have been criticized as complainers and one-trick ponies, and winning an award for a documentary that seemingly bashes Harry's family would only intensify the backlash.

It would not prove their talent in producing content beyond royal family controversies.

Several articles have offered contrasting opinions on the potential impact of an Emmy nomination or win for the couple.

While some argue that it could boost their credibility, others highlight the decline in their popularity following the release of the series and the negative fallout from Prince Harry's memoir.

In terms of the overall Emmy landscape, HBO and HBO Max emerged as the leading networks in September 2022, with 38 Primetime Emmy Awards.

Netflix secured second place with 26 wins, followed by Hulu, Disney+, and Apple.