Since their departure from the British royal family in 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have faced shifting fortunes in their media ventures as they prepare to return to the United Kingdom. After initially settling in California and securing high-profile deals with major platforms such as Netflix and Spotify, the couple’s expansive content ambitions have since been curtailed, prompting questions about the future trajectory of their public careers.
At the height of their post-royal transition, Harry and Meghan announced a reportedly $100 million contract with Netflix through their Archewell Productions company. The deal aimed to produce a diverse slate of scripted and unscripted content targeting a broad audience, including documentaries and series. Complementing this, a $20 million partnership with Spotify underscored their intent to establish themselves in the competitive media content landscape.
However, as they prepare to relocate back to the UK, the Sussexes’ media presence appears diminished. Many of their initial projects have either underperformed or been discontinued. While their 2022 Netflix documentary series "Harry & Meghan" achieved record-breaking viewership, subsequent productions, including a polo documentary and a lifestyle series titled "With Love, Meghan," failed to replicate that success. Netflix also terminated its association with Meghan’s lifestyle brand, As Ever, after just seven months, though it maintained a reduced “first look” deal with Archewell. The Spotify podcast contract ended in 2023 by mutual agreement after the completion of Meghan’s 12-episode series "Archetypes." A follow-up podcast with Lemonada Media, “Confessions of a Female Founder,” was discontinued after nine episodes.
Industry observers note that the Sussexes’ challenges mirror broader transformations in the media ecosystem. Fame alone no longer guarantees sustained engagement amid the rise of the creator economy, where audiences have virtually unlimited content choices. Analysts emphasize that while Harry and Meghan continue to generate considerable public interest—especially surrounding their relationship with the royal family—interest in other projects has been more limited. Commentators have contrasted their trajectory with other celebrity media endeavours, such as the Obamas’ production company, which has similarly scaled back its Netflix arrangements.
The couple’s evolving career strategy includes Meghan’s reported return to acting. Sources indicate she is in discussions for a role in the UK-based third season of Netflix’s series "The Gentlemen," though reports suggest her casting was later withdrawn amid backlash in the UK. Meghan’s recent positive experience as a guest judge on "MasterChef Australia" is understood to have reignited her interest in performance.
Archewell Productions remains active, with upcoming Netflix projects including a polo-based drama and a film adaptation of the novel "Meet Me at the Lake," alongside undisclosed projects beyond Netflix. Their relocation to the UK is not expected to impede production, given the country’s status as a prominent media hub.
For Harry, attention is turning to his involvement with the Invictus Games scheduled for Birmingham in 2026. His memoir "Spare" remains a notable success but difficult to replicate. Meghan has indicated that a potential return to business-focused podcasting depends on the development of her lifestyle brand, emphasizing that such a move would coincide with a different phase of her entrepreneurial journey.
As the Sussexes reset their careers amid changing media dynamics and a physical move back home, their ability to sustain influence beyond their royal narrative remains a key question in the evolving media landscape.