HAZ ENOUGH
Blow to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry as key member of Archewell staff quits after string of employees leave
With several failed Netflix projects, the couple are now hoping for a tie-up with a new TV mogul
HARRY and Meghan have been hit with a fresh blow after the manager of their Archewell Productions TV and film company walked out.
The company, which boasts a collaboration with Netflix, was launched in 2020 by the Sussexes in a bid to create "programming that informs, elevates, and inspires".
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But now Archewell manager Bennett Levine - who worked on the flop Netflix docuseries Harry and Meghan - confirmed he was quitting, less than two years in the role.
It follows a string of staff leaving the company, amid rumours circulating the Duke and Duchess are about to have their Netflix deal scrapped.
In a statement of social media Levine wrote: "I'm happy to share that I'm starting a new position at Cinetic Media."
Cinetic Media is described as a talent management, content sales, and strategic advisory company for media and entertainment industries.
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Mr Levine had joined Archewell Productions as a co-ordinator in 2021, before quickly being promoted to a managerial position.
Shamed Endgame author Omid Scobie praised the move at the time, hyping up the company as "a hive of activity that continues to grow".
But, as reported by the , a source claimed "there's no doubt" Mr Levine's exit will be "a blow to the company".
Archewell Productions has a "creative partnership" with Netflix, and Mr Levine's resignation comes shortly after talks the streaming giant may not be extending its contract with the Duke and Duchess.
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DWINDLING DEALS
They originally signed a rumoured contract for £80million in 2020 to work together until 2025.
However, Meghan has since seen her desired animated series, Pearl, ditched by Netflix while in the development stage.
Then, the Sussexes disappointing documentary also took a hit with the couple believed to have been paid only half of their reported contract.
Harry and Meghan were even poked fun at by comedian Jo Koy at the Golden Globes for “being paid millions by Netflix for doing nothing”.
Meanwhile the Duke's series, Heart of Invictus - which shed light on the Olympic-style games he nobly started for wounded ex-service competitors - also flopped.
'DREAM ROLE'
With several failed Netflix projects, their recent trip to Jamaica with Paramount Pictures execs sparked rumours a deal with the company could be in the pipeline.
Meghan and Harry were flown out on a private Gulfstream IV jet by the industry giant to attend the Bob Marley: One Love premier on Tuesday last week.
Royal expert claimed the pair rubbed shoulders with bosses in a bid to revive Meghan's failed acting pursuits.
They were spotted chatting to Paramount CEO, Brian Robbins, who lives close to the Sussexes in a £13million Montecito mansion.
"I think they're both desperate to be seen in the right places and being at a premier such as this one would be just the one right for them," Ms Levin told The Sun.
Insiders also told The Sun that although Paramount has yet to agree any formal deal with the Sussexes, a collaboration is not off the table.
Harry and Meghan's expenses
- $9.5m mortgage
- £3m a year on security
- £750,000 libel costs
- $100m Netflix deal ends
- $20m Spotify deal axed
- £9m fall in donations to their charity
- £17.5m advance on Harry's book
It comes as senior network execs suggested Meghan could be offered a "dream role" in a Suits spinoff series.
The Duchess could even land herself in the director's seat on at least one episode of Suits: Los Angeles.
Aaron Korsch, Meghan's friend and creator of the original show has been given the green light by NBCUniversal.
A senior production source claimed contract talks between the Duchess' agent and the studio giant have been held.
“This is shaping up to be one of the biggest TV deals of the year," they added.
The insider also claimed execs are "prepared to pay what it takes" to get Meghan on-board.
This golden opportunity is sure to be welcomed by the pair, who royal experts have branded "desperate to be seen".
With a host of multi-million pound expenses, from £3million security costs, to a £17.5m advance on Harry's book, £750,000 libel costs and a $9.5m mortgage, the couple will be looking for ways to rake in the cash.
Meghan was said to have been “uncharacteristically quiet”, following the loss of her £18million Spotify deal in June last year.
Meanwhile, Harry's bombshell memoir Spare initially sold a staggering number of copies, one royal expert claimed the sensational memoir "backfired".
After initial interest, demand soon dwindled and a year on its popularity has plummeted with major retailers slashing prices in half..
As for their much-hyped foundation Archewell, figures in December last year revealed a hole in the accounts after it received almost £9million less in donations than in a previous year.
The foundation operated at a £536,357 loss but kept in the black thanks to earlier donations.
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A single donation of $10million — 77 per cent of Archewell’s total 2021 income — came from one unidentified wealthy donor.
Archewell claims it is not unusual for donations to drop off after the first year and say they have $8million in the bank.
Harry and Meghan's business flops
- Meghan had her upcoming animated series Pearl chucked out by Netflix while in the development stage.
- Then 42-year-old was said to have been “uncharacteristically quiet”, following the loss of her £18million Spotify deal in June last year.
- While Spare initially sold a staggering number of copies demand soon dwindled and a year on its popularity has plummeted with major retailers slashing prices in half.
- Meanwhile, their Netflix documentary also took a hit and the duke and duchess are believed to have been paid only half of their reported £78million contract.
- The pair were poked fun at by comedian Jo Koy at the Golden Globes for “being paid millions by Netflix for doing nothing”.
- Harry’s series, Heart of Invictus, shedding light on the Olympic-style games he started for wounded ex-service competitors also flopped.
- Archewell figures in December last year revealed a hole in the accounts after it received almost £9million less in donations than in a previous year.
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