Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announce surprise Netflix drama series after As Ever split

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are working with Netflix to produce a polo-themed drama. The upcoming series, which Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are executive producing under their Netflix deal, follows their 2024 docuseries, Polo. 

The untitled series, penned by Francisca X. Hu (Teacup), is billed as an “upstairs-downstairs drama,” according to Deadline. Set in the high-flying equestrian town of Wellington, Florida, the story centres around the messy dynamics between two rival teams and the families that lead them.

The drama is thought to stem from Meghan and Harry’s 2024 sports series Polo, which took audiences into the high-glamour world of polo and followed teams competing at the U.S. Open Polo Championship held in Wellington. The documentary featured a handful of talented polo players, including Prince Harry’s longtime friend, Nacho Figueras.

© Variety via Getty Images

The scripted show, which comes from Archewell Productions and Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage’s Fake Empire, will reportedly “widen the scope of what is considered an elitist ‘sport of kings’ beyond the rich owners and players,” according to Deadline. 

The polo drama is just one of Prince Harry and Meghan’s projects in development at Netflix. HELLO! understands that there are more productions in the works.

© Alamy

Harry and Meghan’s projects for Netflix

Meghan and Harry have released several projects under their deal with Netflix. This includes Polo, their tell-all 2022 documentary, Harry & Meghan, Heart of Invictus, Live to Lead, and Meghan’s lifestyle series, With Love, Meghan. 

© COURTESY OF NETFLIX

The news of Meghan and Harry’s new polo drama follows a Variety report that examined the couple’s deal with Netflix. It came after the streaming giant and the Duchess’s lifestyle brand parted ways. 

The article included testimonials from sources who claimed that the relationship between Netflix and the Sussexes was “far from a fairytale”. However, Netflix denied reports of having a strained relationship with the pair. 

Has Meghan’s As Ever cut ties with Netflix? 

Yes. Earlier this month, it was reported that Meghan had cut ties with Netflix over her lifestyle brand, As ever. The streaming giant had partnered with Meghan’s brand as a financial backer, supporting it in its initial stages.

A spokesperson for Meghan’s company said at the time: “As ever is grateful for Netflix’s partnership through launch and our first year. We have experienced meaningful and rapid growth and As ever is now ready to stand on its own. We have an exciting year ahead and can’t wait to share more.”

Meanwhile, Netflix said in a statement: “Meghan’s passion for elevating everyday moments in beautiful yet simple ways inspired the creation of the As ever brand, and we are glad to have played a role in bringing that vision to life.

“As it was always intended, Meghan will continue growing the brand and take it into its next chapter independently, and we look forward to celebrating how she continues to bring joy to households around the world.”