The once-glorious media empire of Archwell Productions, founded by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2020, is currently in turmoil as key staff members resign and public opinion turns against the couple.
The latest setback for the Sussexes’ enterprise comes with the departure of Bennett Levine, a TV executive who co-produced their Netflix documentary series “Harry & Meghan” and their Spotify podcast.
Levine recently left Archwell to join Synetic Media, a rival company in the United States.
This move has been deemed a serious blow to the couple’s endeavors.
Levine is not the first to abandon ship at Archwell.
He follows in the footsteps of his former boss, Ben Browning, an Oscar-winning producer who oversaw the couple’s Netflix and Spotify deals but resigned last year.
Browning allegedly grew frustrated with the couple’s lack of professionalism and unrealistic expectations.
Additionally, clashes arose between Browning and Markle due to creative differences and her micromanagement style.
Levine and Browning are among at least 17 staff members who have left the Sussexes’ service since their marriage in 2018.
Furthermore, at least eight have departed since the couple relocated to California in 2020 after stepping back from their royal duties and signing lucrative contracts with Netflix and Spotify.
The couple had pledged to create uplifting and entertaining content that would embrace a shared humanity.
However, they have thus far failed to deliver on their lofty promises.
Their Netflix documentary series, “Harry and Meghan,” which aired in 2022, received widespread criticism from both critics and viewers.
Many accused the couple of being narcissistic, self-pitying, and hypocritical.
The series featured interviews with the couple and their celebrity friends, along with footage showcasing their lavish lifestyle in their $14 million mansion in Montecito.
It also sparked controversy for its portrayal of the royal family, particularly Harry’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, whom he accused of being cold and distant.
Their Spotify podcast, launched in 2021, also fell short of expectations, attracting only a fraction of the anticipated listeners.
The podcast featured the couple’s personal reflections and conversations with guests such as Elton John, Oprah Winfrey, and Malala Yousafzai.
However, it was criticized for being dull, preachy, and out of touch.
Additionally, the podcast faced backlash due to its association with Spotify, which has been accused of spreading misinformation and harmful content on its platform, particularly through the controversial show of Joe Rogan, a podcaster known for expressing skepticism about COVID-19 vaccines and lockdowns.
The couple’s popularity has also suffered in the United States, where they had hoped to find a more supportive audience.
According to a recent YouGov poll, their favorability ratings have significantly declined since their move to the States, with more Americans holding a negative opinion of them than a positive one.
The poll also revealed that the couple’s popularity is lower among younger and more liberal Americans, who are typically their target audience.
Numerous scandals and controversies have tarnished the couple’s image.
These include their explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, where they made shocking allegations of racism and neglect against the royal family, as well as their legal battles with British tabloids.
Their involvement in political and social issues, along with their perceived hypocrisy and elitism, have also contributed to the erosion of their reputation.
They have been accused of exploiting their royal titles and connections for personal gain while distancing themselves from their royal responsibilities and obligations.
The future prospects for the couple remain uncertain, as they face the potential loss of their Netflix and Spotify contracts, as well as their royal patronages and titles.
Relations with their royal relatives, especially Harry’s brother Prince William and his father Prince Charles, have become strained, with reports suggesting hurt and disappointment over the couple’s actions and statements.
Additionally, some of their celebrity friends, including Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, and Nils Lofgren, have withdrawn their music from Spotify in protest of the platform’s association with Rogan and the Sussexes.
As of now, the couple has not commented on the recent staff exodus from Archwell or the mounting criticism and backlash they are facing from the public and the media.
However, sources close to the couple claim that they remain unaffected by the negative attention and are focused on their work and family.
They have hinted at exciting new projects but have not disclosed any details or release dates.
Whether these endeavors will be sufficient to salvage their reputation and media empire remains to be seen.