Meghan Markle 'locked in negotiations' with Netflix over new deal
The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, is locked in negotiations for a second contract with Netflix, writes Charlotte Griffiths.
The streaming giant has decided to draw up a new deal with Meghan after the Sussexes' $100m (€85m) five-year contract comes to an end in September.
Reports last week claimed that Netflix were going to drop the couple, having decided that the arrangement with them had "run its course".
But the Mail on Sunday has revealed that the second series of With Love, Meghan will be the first show to air under the renewed agreement and it is due for release this autumn.
Sources close to the streaming giant said: "Make no mistake - a deal is being worked through as we speak."
While the finer details remain a closely guarded secret, it is expected that the duchess is unlikely to secure the same financial deal she did previously when the couple first walked away from their role as senior UK royals.
It is also not thought that Harry, whose vanity project, Polo, about the sport, was watched by just 500,000 people and rated at only 3,436th in the Netflix charts, will form a major part of the new contract as he is increasingly focused on his charity work.
His other shows, Heart Of Invictus, about his wounded veterans initiative, and his leadership documentary, Live To Lead, were also only moderately received.
Meanwhile, interest in former actress Meghan, who starred in legal drama series Suits, which remains one of the streaming service's top shows, continues to be higher.
With Love, Meghan pulled in 5.3million views in the first half of this year, even though critics described it as 'bland' and 'forgettable'. The source added: "If you're in the top third of Netflix, you're getting another deal."
It is understood that Meghan's new series was filmed at the same time as series one was recorded last year. She also has a collection of products called As Ever.
Another source said: "What happens at the end of the contract is that people renegotiate.
"But when doing any kind of commercial negotiation, both sides are not allowed to talk about it.
"Netflix is a listed company so they can't say anything or confirm officially yet that a new deal is happening, but that deal is not dead.
"Netflix are an equity partner in As Ever, so they were unlikely to drop Meghan.
"It serves them to promote her and her lifestyle brand via the With Love, Meghan show. It would be like punching yourself in the face not to sign a new deal."
The streaming giant is set to open two vast retail and entertainment "hubs", called Netflix Houses, later this year, with locations in mega malls in Pennsylvania and Texas.
The venues will feature immersive experiences tied to Netflix shows, themed restaurants and branded merchandise - including products such as As Ever jam and tea, which are made by a factory contracted to Netflix, which makes similar products for their aristocracy drama series Bridgerton.
The source added: "People point to 'Polo was a flop', but it's worth remembering that Harry & Meghan was the biggest documentary on Netflix ever in 2022.
The streaming giant has decided to draw up a new deal with Meghan after the Sussexes' $100m (€85m) five-year contract comes to an end in September. (Pic: Jaque Silva/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
"That alone could have afforded them 50 flops - and it still would have been worth it for Netflix.
"With Love, Meghan has been worth it too. It's done really well, especially in America which is the only place that matters."
Photo: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex speaks onstage during the 2025 TIME100 Summit at Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 23, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for TIME)
