MEGHAN Markle will think she’s getting full creative control and be the “Mother Teresa” of Netflix shows, an industry source claimed today.
The former actress and husband Prince Harry revealed they had signed a production deal with the popular streaming service – with insiders saying the deal was worth a staggering £75million.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who have never produced a TV show, will make documentaries, films, scripted and kids’ programmes.
A senior industry source today told The Times that Meghan, 39, would “believe she’s getting full creative control” with the deal.
But they said that instead, the executive producer’s credits she would probably receive were “thrown around like confetti”.
The source claimed: “TV networks, Netflix included, don’t let the lunatics run the asylum.
“Meghan will no doubt want to cast herself as Mother Teresa but that’s not how it’s going to pan out.”
It comes as…
- Meghan Markle and Prince Harry could earn almost £200MILLION with bonuses thanks to their new Netflix deal
- The Sussexes said they wanted their productions to “unlock action” and “give hope”
- The couple had been involved in talks with NBC and Disney before signing with Netflix
- Meghan will think she’s getting full creative control and be the “Mother Teresa” of Netflix shows, an insider claimed
- They are already working on an animated show to inspire women
- Royal fans mocked the deal after the couple quit the Firm just six months ago
- New York Times reported Harry and Meghan could still appear on camera in documentary programming.
- The couple signed with the streaming service just weeks after it announced the new season of The Crown, which will focus on Princess Diana
The couple, who quit royal duties in March and now live in the US, said they wanted their “impactful” output to “unlock action” and “give hope”.
PR guru Jonathan Shalit said Harry and Meghan will net between £37m and £75m.
He told HOAR: “It is a staggering deal.
“Never before has a Hollywood studio got hold of British royal family – this is historic.”
The Sussexes, who moved to LA in March after their split with the royal family, have founded a production company which has yet to be named.
Harry, 35, and Meghan are not expected to star in front of the camera.
Last night it emerged they already have an animated series in development which is focused on inspiring women, according to the New York Times.
Announcing the deal last night, the couple said: “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.
“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.
“As new parents, making inspirational family programming is also important to us, as is powerful storytelling through a truthful and relatable lens.”
The deal will see them produce content for Netflix’s 193m subscribers.
Before signing with Netflix, Harry and Meghan held talks with Disney and Apple, the New York Times reports.
Last month, it was reported the Sussexes also held talks with NBCUniversal.
Today’s historic Netflix deal comes after Harry was filmed appearing to lay the groundwork for his wife’s Disney voiceover deal six months ago.
He was overheard revealing Meghan Markle’s interest to Bob Iger, the Disney chief at the London premiere of the Lion King last July.
Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s co-chief executive and chief content officer, said in a statement: “We’re incredibly proud they have chosen Netflix as their creative home and are excited about telling stories with them that can help build resilience and increase understanding for audiences everywhere.”
Earlier this summer, the royal couple moved into a £11m home in Santa Barbara after their stay in Tyler Perry’s £14m LA mansion.
The couple now live in a £11m nine-bedroom and 16-bathroom mansion in upscale Montecito, Santa Barbara.
