Harry and Meghan update: Did Meghan Markle Netflix exit costs millions? What went wrong with the partnership | Explained

According to western media reports, Netflix has effectively ended its partnership with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, with their $100 million deal not being renewed, following low viewership and poor performance of their content. Netflix specifically divested from Meghan’s lifestyle brand 'As Ever', reportedly leaving the streamer with millions in losses. Meghan Markle’s decision to part ways with Netflix on her lifestyle brand venture has reportedly left the streaming giant facing significant financial losses, even as its broader partnership with her and Prince Harry remains intact.

What went wrong with the Netflix partnership?

According to a report on Page Six, Netflix’s collaboration with Meghan’s lifestyle brand As Ever ended after less than a year, with insiders claiming the venture failed to deliver expected returns.

The streamer is said to be left with millions of dollars in losses, including an estimated $10 million worth of unsold inventory tied to the brand.

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The products, which included premium lifestyle items, reportedly struggled to connect with consumers, leading to excess stock and internal concerns about the brand’s direction.

Sources also pointed to mismatched expectations and strategic differences between Markle and Netflix as key reasons behind the split.

Not the end of the Netflix–Sussex relationship

Despite the fallout around As Ever, the larger deal between Netflix and the Sussexes is far from over. According to a report in Cosmopolitan, Meghan and Harry, who signed a reported $100 million deal with the platform in 2020, will continue to work with Netflix under a first-look agreement, developing new film and television projects through their banner Archewell Productions.

Netflix executives have also publicly dismissed speculation of major tensions, reiterating that projects with the couple are still in development. Netflix Chief Content Officer, Bela Bajaria, addressed the claims during the Next on Netflix Event on Wednesday, March 18, and said, "Don’t believe whatever you read. Maybe we should all do a little fact-checking.”

Bela shared that Harry and Meghan “have things in development on the TV and film side,” adding, “Deals come and go all the time. There are deals that are deals we don’t renew.”

A mixed track record

The couple’s Netflix journey has seen both highs and lows.

While their docuseries Harry & Meghan became a massive global hit, later projects, including Meghan’s lifestyle show With Love, Meghan, received mixed responses and relatively lower engagement.

The underperformance of some content, coupled with the commercial challenges of the As Ever brand, appears to have contributed to the current reset in strategy.

What next for Meghan?

Following the split, Meghan has reportedly regained full control of the As Ever brand and is repositioning it independently, with plans for future product launches and expansion.

The move suggests a shift away from platform-backed ventures toward more direct ownership and creative control.

Rather than a complete fallout, the situation reflects a recalibration. Netflix is moving away from large, all-encompassing deals, while Meghan and Harry appear to be refining their approach, focusing on selective projects rather than sprawling partnerships.