S Poddar
According to sources, the future direction of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will largely depend on how well Meghan’s latest project will perform. While the couple has decided to take separate professional paths in a bid to follow their personal passions, analysts claim that most of their long-term prospects will be shaped by the performance of Meghan’s upcoming show.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who signed an extremely lucrative five-year contract with Netflix, are now close to the end of their deal with the streaming giant. Many people are turning their attention to what comes next for the couple, most especially Meghan’s new venture. This is because of Netflix weighing whether or not it wants to extend its partnership with the Sussexes as their contract deals expire this year.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond weighed in on what her new project might look like in terms of the couple’s future working career. Speaking with *OK! *, Bond elaborated: “Meghan’s show – about the joys of cooking, gardening, entertaining, and friendship – could be the very thing that decides if Netflix sees fit to renew their partnership with her and Harry.”. She noted, “The success or otherwise of Meghan’s show could dictate the future,” and emphasized the importance of Netflix’s decision in determining what is to come next for the Duke and Duchess.
It might suggest how Meghan can easily relate with this new audience to become in the decision-making list of Netflix as far as continuing a working relationship with Sussexes in the future is concerned. Success of the project with lots of positive attention would attract further renewal of their agreement because the streaming network cannot just go ahead and give the deal away over such a product that seems unfruitful in gaining some kind of popularity.
Television is a very competitive industry, and the stakes are very high for Harry and Meghan as they try to carve out a successful path post-royal life. According to Bond, after the success of their first series, Harry & Meghan, which aired in 2022 and gained international attention, the couple has yet to show that they can do it again. “Television is a hotly competitive field, and Harry and Meghan’s own story was the big one for Netflix. After that, it’s hard to see exactly what they have to offer,” Bond explained, pointing out that their lack of experience in production may present challenges moving forward. “They are not producers, and learning on the job is not easy.”
This shift towards individual projects comes as part of a broader strategy for the Sussexes to give each of them the space to pursue their own interests. While Meghan has a long history in front of the camera, having gained recognition as an actress on the TV show Suits, Harry’s professional direction remains more uncertain. As Bond indicates, Harry should focus on his charitable work and public appearances by retaining his title and global platform to make more causes that are dear to his heart. Bond further said, “I think Harry would be better making his high-profile appearances to publicise the causes and charities he cares about. He is still a Prince and enjoys a global platform.” That way, Harry would stay visible while promoting charitable causes, an area where he has already made a difference through his work with the Invictus Games and other causes.
For Meghan, though the prospects of success may very well be bettered by having her ability to navigate the TV production world.
While her past experience on-camera as an actress has little to say about her producing, her on-camera presence could still work for her there. Bond accepted that Meghan “may well pursue other TV projects as she does at least have experience of being in front of the camera,” and told the Telegraph that she could well thrive in this arena. “She might prove quite successful… but we shall have to wait and see.” As the professional separation of the couple unfolds, it can be clearly noted that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are embarking on a journey that will define their careers on their own terms.
For now, though, the attention is still on Meghan’s upcoming show, which should play a key role in shaping their future prospects. Given the struggles of their initial Netflix project Polo, which was largely criticized by industry professionals, there is a lot of pressure on Meghan’s new project to strike the right chord with both audiences and critics. The couple’s decision to take different professional paths is more of a strategic move, enabling each of them to focus on projects and issues that reflect their specific interests and values. While such a global status as former British royalty will always be a powerful asset to them, the couple’s ability to sustain their relevance in the entertainment world is largely dependent on how well their various endeavors resonate with the audience.
As the year goes on, all eyes will be on Meghan’s new show to see if it can capture the same level of attention and success as their previous projects or if the couple’s professional future will take a different turn. With Netflix’s decision on their contract looming, the couple’s next moves will undoubtedly shape their careers for years to come.
