A lot of Brits were angered by news of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Netflix development deal. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex came under fire for how the media deal reflected badly on the royal family. Furthermore, sources say the family isn't thrilled they chose Netflix of all places, because of how they are portrayed on The Crown.
New details about the deal have emerged that have further upset supporters of the royal family. While the announcement of the deal came with reassurances that Meghan had no interest in returning to acting, they never said anything about reality shows.
The Sun reports that Harry and Meghan may do a "fly-on-the-wall reality series" as part of the deal. A source told the British tabloid the series might focus on the couple's new professional lives. It would be a little more docuseries than drama, but it would give the couple a chance to show their authentic selves. Netflix hasn't confirmed the news, but the company hasn't exactly denied it either.
Many fans of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been eager to discover what kind of programming their multi-year Netflix deal with include. The couple gave some insight into that in a statement released after the deal was announced.
"Our lives, both independent of each other, and as a couple have allowed us to understand the power of the human spirit: of courage, resilience, and the need for connection," the couple stated.
"Through our work with diverse communities and their environments, to shining a light on people and causes around the world, our focus will be on creating content that informs but also gives hope," the two continued.
"As new parents, making inspirational family programming is also important to us, as is powerful storytelling through a truthful and relatable lens. We are pleased to work with Ted [Sarandos] and the team at Netflix whose unprecedented reach will help us share impactful content that unlocks action."
We're now learning that the "truthful and relatable lens" may include a reality series. While sources close to the deal noted that Meghan had no desire to return to acting, she reportedly has a desire to share her authentic self with the world.
"It will be tasteful. They want to give people a glimpse into their lives," a source told The Sun.
"They may have had all these lofty ideas about producing epics highlighting environmental causes and the poverty gap, but Netflix obviously want their pound of flesh," another source added.
However, the Sussexes aren't going the Kardashian route. If something reality-based does come to be, it would be more docuseries that drama-filled saga.
"Much of the docuseries will be about their philanthropy rather than what they get up to behind closed doors," the source said.
"But it will still be a fascinating insight and Meghan hopes viewers will get to see the real her."
As you can expect, those who have loyally stuck by The Firm through all of the complications around Harry and Meghan's roles are not thrilled at the prospect.
Some people think that participating in a docuseries would be hypocritical for the couple, citing their desire for privacy.
"We were told they had gone to California for greater privacy so it all appears rather hypocritical," Ingrid Seward, editor of Majesty Magazine, told The Sun.
"It is extraordinary. This is exactly what they said they wouldn't do. The more they talk about themselves the more people will want them to do just that and won't be interested in anything else they have to offer."
But PR expert Mark Borkowski says the difference is that the couple is agreeing to exposure on their own terms, something they could not achieve in the UK.
"Viewers will be interested to see what they are up to but there needs to be authenticity," he said.
"They have laid out a grand plan and are fulfilling it. They are doing this all on their own terms. Their determination to have their voice heard sustains them."
The idea of doing something documentary-style that highlights the work of a royal isn't exactly groundbreaking, either. Different members of the royal family have participated in many documentaries throughout the years. There were documentaries about both Prince Charles and Princess Anne around their 70th birthdays, for example.
It's also believed that a documentary around philanthropy was one of the projects that Princess Diana never got to check off her list. According to Tina Brown's The Diana Chronicle, the late princess wanted to make documentaries featuring each of the charities she worked with, then promote and release them to benefit those organizations.
It's possible that if the couple does consider something like a docuseries, it would be as a way to continue Diana's work, as Harry vowed to do from the moment he entered adulthood.
Omid Scobie, one of the authors of Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of a Modern Family, contacted a Sussex representative about the rumors, which they're shutting down for now.
"Pretty obvious this was false but a Sussex rep says the couple 'are not taking part in any reality shows.' Source adds that the only shows in development now 'are the ones we have previously confirmed' — a nature docu-series and an animated series celebrating inspiring women," he tweeted.
Netflix's statement on the matter backs that up.
"The couple already have several projects in development, including an innovative nature docuseries and an animated series that celebrates inspiring women," the company said in a statement. "But we are not disclosing any of the programming slate at this time."
