Harry and Meghan's Explosive Series vs. Heart of Invictus
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's bombshell-laden series instantly topped charts on both sides of the Atlantic in 2022. However, Harry's first solo Netflix show, Heart of Invictus, has failed to make the streaming giant's top ten since its release on Wednesday. The six-part series tells the inspirational stories of war wounded soldiers competing in the 2022 Invictus Games and has won critical acclaim for laying bare the real-life courage of battling veterans. Yet, viewers seem more interested in Harry's personal struggles than the inspiring stories.
Casting a Shadow on the Mega-Deal with Netflix
The disappointment with Heart of Invictus casts another shadow over the £80 million mega-deal signed by Harry and Meghan with Netflix in 2020. The couple hopes to forge successful Hollywood careers after their sensational Megxit split from the monarchy and their relocation to a £16 million mansion in California. Their first docuseries, Harry & Meghan, dominated news coverage in Britain and America upon its release last year, quickly climbing to the top of the Netflix charts.
A Second TV Project Fails to Impress
This setback comes after another failure for the couple's production company, Archewell Productions. Their second TV project, Live to Lead, inspired by the legacy of Nelson Mandela and starring eco warrior Greta Thunberg, also failed to make the Netflix Top 10 charts. Critics panned the series, with one reviewer describing it as having "the oppressive earnestness of a morale-boosting corporate video."
Meghan's Podcast Axed by Spotify
Last month, Meghan faced another blow when streaming giant Spotify axed her Archetypes podcast after just one season. This decision is expected to result in the loss of a £15 million payout as the podcast failed to meet production level targets. Both Meghan and Harry maintain that the split was a 'mutual' decision.
What Does This Mean for Harry and Meghan's Hollywood Aspirations?
With multiple setbacks and failures in their recent ventures, the future is uncertain for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in Hollywood. Will they be able to regain their initial success, or is their mega-deal with Netflix turning into a disappointment?
