Sussex, the production company founded by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, is reportedly facing a significant financial setback.
Despite rumors circulating in various media outlets, including Cosmo and The Sun, it appears that Netflix is not inclined to produce another series to address the issues raised in Harry’s book.
According to a post on Reddit by user SecondhandCoke, the decision not to pursue a new series is believed to be driven by Meghan’s reaction to the negative feedback received after the release of Harry’s book.
Allegedly, she had high hopes that the book would garner widespread support and turn public opinion against the royal family, but instead, it seems she feels misunderstood.
Meghan is said to be attempting to exert pressure on mainstream media to commission another series, possibly through interviews that would provide historical context for the book.
However, the recent report by Neil Sean suggests that Sussex may not renew their lease on Frogmore Cottage, which expires in March.
This move would mean that Harry can no longer claim to be domiciled in England and would disqualify him as a councillor of state.
While it is unlikely that Harry would have been called upon for his role as councillor of state due to recent changes in the list, relinquishing his UK home on the Windsor estate would still be a significant emotional and strategic sacrifice.
The rent for Frogmore Cottage amounts to approximately $20,000 per month, resulting in an annual expense of $240,000.
This news further confirms previous reports that Netflix and Spotify have paid out only a limited amount for the content produced so far, including Harry’s book deal.
The financial situation in Montecito, where Harry and Meghan currently reside, seems to be tightening.
The Sun reported that Netflix executives expressed concerns about the personal and family revelations in Harry’s book compared to the relatively tame recent docuseries produced by Sussex.
Executives have allegedly requested a fly-on-the-wall style show filmed at the couple’s $14 million mansion in Montecito to increase viewership.
A consultant working with Netflix in Los Angeles commented on Harry’s memoir, stating that it has generated significant attention.
Despite the potential contrast between the revelations in the book and the docuseries, Netflix executives see them as distinct scenarios.
The docuseries achieved strong viewership, and there is a desire for a second project featuring Harry.
The aftermath of Harry and Meghan’s journey will undoubtedly captivate audiences, and the couple has a wealth of unreleased material that could make for compelling viewing.
However, for such a deal to materialize, Harry and Meghan would need to open the doors of their Montecito home for filming.
The interest in Harry’s life remains immense, as demonstrated by the success of his previous interviews.
Some scenes in Meghan and Harry’s six-part Netflix show appeared to be filmed in a home setting, but it was later revealed that another estate worth $33.5 million was used for production.
The source from The US Sun also mentioned that Harry’s promotional efforts for his book had not gone unnoticed at Netflix.
While some members of the marketing team were disappointed that Meghan and Harry did not embark on a media tour for the show, they hope that the couple will actively promote future projects.
In conclusion, Sussex is facing a significant financial setback, with Netflix showing no immediate interest in producing another series following the success of Harry’s book.