Multiple reports indicate that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are rumored to be working on a new Rivals-style drama for Netflix centered on two warring families. The rumored project will revolve around the messy dynamics between two rival teams and the families that lead them and has been described as Harry's new 'passion project'. The rumored show is set in the high-flying equestrian town of Wellington, Florida.
The rumored show is reportedly being written by Francisca X. Hu, a little-known writer who worked on TV series including the modern reboot of Dynasty and Fox's Sleepy Hollow. Whether this project is actually in development or just speculation remains unclear.
This rumored drama comes after a series of setbacks for the couple's Netflix ventures. Harry's 2024 documentary Polo was a ratings flop, ranking at 3,436 out of around 7,000 shows with a disastrous 500,000 views globally in mid-2025. There was said to be some disappointment at Netflix because the Polo documentary hardly featured Harry at all.
Meghan's series With Love, Meghan drew withering notices from critics and failed to reverse its fortunes in its second season, ending after two seasons. Netflix ended its partnership with Meghan's lifestyle brand As Ever, which has been cut loose by the streaming service. Ted Sarandos quietly unfollowed Meghan Markle and her lifestyle company As Ever on Instagram around the time her brand was purged by Netflix.
She'll blow everybody's mind.
The exact reasons for the failure of the As Ever brand, including the relative weight of product issues versus interpersonal difficulties, are not fully known. Variety's report claimed that Netflix is 'done' with Harry and Meghan. Netflix became 'exhausted' by Harry and Meghan's perceived pattern of selling repackaged versions of the same story about their exit from royal life.
Netflix was allegedly frustrated by a lack of communication when Harry and Meghan did their Oprah interview in March 2021. A Sussex spokesperson said it was categorically false that Netflix was unaware of the Oprah interview. Harry and Meghan have developed a reputation for being 'really difficult to work with' across multiple high-profile relationships.
Netflix chief Ted Sarandos is said to now demand legal representation be present before agreeing to speak with Meghan directly. Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria has publicly denied claims of a dispute, saying Netflix still has a partnership with Harry and Meghan and has movies in development with them. Another Netflix insider told the Daily Mail that staff would not air grievances in public and that no one is going to be killing themselves with an effort to work with Harry and Meghan.
This disagreement creates uncertainty about whether the Netflix deal is effectively over or still active, impacting perceptions of the Sussexes' professional standing and future projects. Harry and Meghan signed a multi-year, first look deal for film and television projects with Netflix in 2025, considered a downgrade from their previous deal. Senior executives at Netflix reportedly warned CEO Ted Sarandos against working with Harry and Meghan, but he pushed forward with a $100 million deal.
The Sussexes' revenue streams are starting to dry up, and they should be given half-in, half-out royal roles.
Despite recent struggles, the Harry & Meghan documentary was the most-watched documentary on Netflix ever. Meghan Markle is tipped to return to acting following the end of her Netflix deal, with former co-star Eric Roberts saying she'll blow everybody's mind. Whether Meghan Markle will indeed return to acting and what specific projects she might pursue post-Netflix remains speculative.
The personal relationships between the Sussexes and Netflix executives add complexity to the professional dynamics. Ted Sarandos allowed Harry and Meghan's family to stay with him in Santa Barbara when they purchased their home. Meghan Markle held hands with Netflix boss Ted Sarandos' wife Nicole Avant at a party in Montecito.
Nicole Avant still follows Meghan on Instagram but not As Ever, and a Netflix source said Nicole and Meghan are still friends. The true nature of the personal and professional relationship between Ted Sarandos, Nicole Avant, and the Sussexes amidst conflicting reports is not fully clear. The failure of As Ever was more to do with the product and business model than Meghan being difficult, although there was an element of both.
The Sussexes' revenue streams are starting to dry up, and they should be given half-in, half-out royal roles, according to royal commentator Tina Brown. The current financial terms and viability of Harry and Meghan's Netflix deal following reported downgrades and project failures are not publicly disclosed, adding to the uncertainty surrounding their financial prospects.