Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made a “calculated move” regarding their new deal with Netflix, a PR expert has claimed. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s Archewell Productions announced on Monday that they are “extending their partnership” with Netflix with a new “multi-year first look” deal.
Netflix’s new deal will see the streaming giant have the first look at the Sussex couple’s ideas before deciding if they want to work on them. Several commentators have analysed the new deal, details of which have been few, with many of them dubbing it a “downgrade” from their previous one.
But now a PR expert said the deal may not be a retreat but rather a “strategic reset” for the Montecito couple.
PR expert and celebrity manager, Mayah Riaz, told the Mirror: “This deal for Harry and Meghan signals a strategic reset rather than a retreat. While some might frame it as a ‘climbdown’ from their initial mega-deal, I see it as a calculated move to recalibrate their brand narrative.”
The expert explained that the Sussexes’s first Netflix contract “was all about shock factor and global curiosity” but their new deal appears to focus on “sustainability and relevance”.
She added: “If the reported figures are accurate (rumoured to be worth around £74million), this new deal is likely smaller than their previous multi-million-dollar agreement.
“But this isn’t necessarily a downgrade as it could reflect a shift towards more targeted projects, lower risk for Netflix, and potentially give more creative control for Harry and Meghan.”
Harry and Meghan have produced five projects for Netflix so far, but only one of them, their bombshell 2022 docuseries, proved to be a viewer hit.
Ms Riaz concluded: “The challenge will be avoiding the ‘fallen from grace’ narrative and instead showing it as an evolution, where they move from sensational exclusives to credible, long-term content creation.
“If they get this right, it could really strengthen their reputation in both Hollywood and philanthropic circles.”
