Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Develop Netflix Drama Inspired by 'Rivals' Focusing on Rival Families

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are reportedly deep in development of a scripted drama for Netflix, a project described as a "Rivals-style" production centered on two warring families. The show, still untitled, will explore the "messy dynamics between rival teams and their families," according to insiders. The Sussexes are executive producing the series, which they've dubbed Harry's new "passion project." This comes despite the disastrous reception of Harry's 2024 documentary *Polo*, which failed to attract viewers and was ranked 3,436 out of 7,000 shows on Netflix. The drama aims to "widen the scope of what is considered an elitist sport," a move that has raised eyebrows among royal observers.

The proposed show is set in Wellington, Florida, a hub for elite polo culture. It is being written by Francisca X. Hu, a writer known for rebooting *Dynasty* and working on *Sleepy Hollow*. The premise—focusing on familial rivalries—has drawn comparisons to Disney+'s hit *Rivals*, a bonkbuster that thrived on its glamorous, scandalous portrayal of the sport. However, the Sussexes' project has already sparked controversy. Royal fans note the strained relationship between the couple and the Windsors, with many questioning whether the show's themes of betrayal and conflict mirror real-life tensions.

Netflix's current stance with the Sussexes is fraught. The streaming giant recently ended its partnership with Meghan's lifestyle brand *As Ever* and axed her series *With Love, Meghan* after two seasons. Ted Sarandos, Netflix's chief content officer, quietly unfollowed Meghan and her brand on Instagram around the time of the purge. This follows Variety's harsh critique of the couple, which declared Netflix "done" with them. The drama's timing is no coincidence: it emerges as the Sussexes navigate a downgraded "first look" deal with the streamer, raising questions about whether this new project will salvage their relationship with the platform.

Harry's *Polo* documentary, which aired in 2024, was a ratings disaster. It attracted just 500,000 views globally and received scathing reviews. Critics called it "a tedious inside-look at posh polo" and "a mostly boring look at a sport that very few people outside of elite circles have any particular interest in." The show was so poorly received that one reviewer claimed it would "fall through the submenus into obscurity at the speed of light." Sources later revealed that Netflix executives were frustrated by the lack of Harry's presence in the final cut, with the documentary featuring minimal footage of him despite his high-profile pitch and appearance at the Royal Salute Polo Challenge.

The Sussexes' latest venture into scripted television is a gamble. With *Polo* already a cautionary tale, the stakes are high. Yet, the couple remains undeterred, leveraging their brand and connections to push forward. For now, the show is in early development, but its success—or failure—could define their next chapter with Netflix. The question remains: will this project finally give them the redemption they crave, or will it become another footnote in their tumultuous relationship with the streaming giant?

Meghan Markle's history of using high-profile platforms to elevate herself is well-documented. Her previous projects, from *With Love, Meghan* to *As Ever*, have been criticized as vanity-driven ventures that prioritize her image over substance. This new drama, however, appears to be a calculated move to reframe the Sussexes as cultural producers rather than just royal figures. Whether it succeeds remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the couple is determined to turn their personal and professional setbacks into another opportunity for self-promotion.

Netflix's response to these claims has been silence. The streamer has not commented on the alleged project or its potential ties to the Sussexes' downgraded deal. Yet, the timing of the reports—surrounding the end of *As Ever* and the axing of *With Love, Meghan*—suggests a deeper strategy at play. For the Sussexes, this drama is more than just entertainment; it is a lifeline in a rapidly deteriorating relationship with the platform that once seemed to embrace them.

As the project moves forward, one thing is certain: the world will be watching. Whether the show will be a hit or another misstep for the Sussexes remains to be seen. But for now, the focus is on the drama itself—a tale of rival families, elite sport, and the messy entanglements that come with both.

In March of last year, Meghan Markle's lifestyle brand took a significant step into the digital spotlight with the launch of its Instagram accounts—first as "American Riviera Orchard" and later rebranded as "As Ever." The accounts quickly caught the attention of Ted Sarandos, Netflix's chief content officer, who added them to his meticulously curated list of around 450 followed profiles. But by late last month, both Sarandos and Bela Bajaria, Netflix's creative chief, had unfollowed Meghan and her brand, marking a dramatic shift in their relationship. This move came after years of public praise, with Sarandos once calling Meghan "the rock star" as recently as last spring. The abrupt change has fueled speculation about the nature of the rift, though both Netflix and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have strongly denied any allegations of tension.

The Daily Mail's Editor at Large, Alison Boshoff, described the situation as a "Stalinist thoroughness" in how Meghan and her brand were erased from Netflix's inner circles. Sources close to Sarandos told Boshoff that he had once been in awe of Meghan's ability to command attention, citing the success of the 2022 documentary *Harry & Meghan*, where even the Hermes blanket seen artfully folded over a chair sold out. But the mood has shifted dramatically. Insiders claim Sarandos and Bajaria have privately expressed "not complimentary" sentiments about the couple, though details remain elusive. The partnership, which once seemed promising, officially ended on March 6, with one insider telling Boshoff, "There was just all this jam. We had thought there would be more to it."

Variety, the entertainment industry's influential bible, reported that Sarandos allegedly refused to speak with Meghan unless a lawyer was present—a claim Netflix dismissed as "absolutely inaccurate." The Sussexes' lawyer, Michael Kump, called the report "blatantly false," emphasizing that Meghan maintains regular contact with Sarandos, including visits to his home without legal representatives. Meanwhile, sources close to Meghan claimed she felt Netflix had been overly cautious in promoting her lifestyle brand, which sells everything from jam to candles and now flowers. Netflix, however, pushed back, with insiders telling Variety that the Sussexes had been "difficult to work with at times." One insider reportedly said the mood at the company was now "We're done."

Accusations have also surfaced about Meghan's behavior during virtual meetings. According to three insiders at Netflix, she would sometimes vanish from Zoom calls for extended periods, only later explaining that her absence was due to being "offended" by something said. Marketing teams were then informed of her grievances, though the Sussexes' lawyer denied these claims, stating that Meghan left calls to care for her children, Archie and Lilibet, not out of frustration. Prince Harry reportedly called the allegations about Meghan "recasting his thoughts" in meetings "categorically false." Kump accused Variety of perpetuating a "misogynistic characterization" of Meghan's relationship with Harry, stressing that her absences were due to the challenges of working from home while raising young children.

Meghan's recent public appearance at a charity gala in Los Angeles marked her first since the split with Netflix. The event, held at the Beverly Wiltshire Hotel, saw her return to the red carpet—a gesture that may signal a new chapter for the Duchess of Sussex. Yet the lingering questions about her brand's future and the fractured ties with Netflix remain unanswered. As the story continues to unfold, the contrast between past admiration and current estrangement underscores the complex interplay of personal dynamics and corporate interests in the high-stakes world of entertainment and branding.

The dynamics of Meghan Markle's professional life have come under renewed scrutiny, with sources close to the former royal suggesting a deliberate effort to insulate her team from the distractions of parenthood. According to insiders, Meghan has been conscious of the challenges that come with balancing work and family life, particularly in the context of virtual meetings. One source described her approach as a calculated measure to ensure her colleagues could focus on tasks without interruptions. "Nearly all professionals can attest to needing to turn off the audio or camera during a virtual meeting at some point during many hours of virtual business calls," the source added, underscoring a universal challenge faced by remote workers. This perspective, however, contrasts with the more contentious allegations that have surfaced in recent media reports.

A recent legal filing from Mr. Kump, a representative for the couple, sought to address a series of claims outlined in a Variety article titled *Inside Meghan and Harry's Falling Out With Netflix - and Why the Royal Couple Is Struggling in Hollywood*. The piece, which has sparked global headlines, alleged that Meghan frequently interrupts Prince Harry during meetings, often by touching his arm or thigh before rephrasing his statements mid-sentence. The article also suggested that this behavior has been a point of contention within their partnership. Mr. Kump dismissed these assertions as "calculated to play into the misogynistic characterisation of her bossing her husband around," a statement that frames the allegations as part of a broader pattern of gender-based bias.

Prince Harry himself has categorically denied the claims, with Variety reporting that he considers them "categorically false." The Variety article, however, went further, suggesting that Netflix has grown disillusioned with the couple, citing internal sources who claimed the streaming giant is "done" with Harry and Meghan. The report painted a picture of a partnership strained by creative differences and public perception, with the couple's ventures in Hollywood allegedly falling short of expectations.

Netflix, meanwhile, has been quick to distance itself from the allegations. Bela Bajaria, the streaming service's chief content officer, issued a pointed rebuttal, urging readers to "don't believe whatever you read." She emphasized that the couple's collaboration with Netflix remains ongoing, pointing to several projects in development, including films and documentaries. "We have movies in development with them. We have an amazing doc with them. They have things in development on the TV and film side," Bajaria stated, highlighting the company's continued investment in the couple's creative endeavors. She also noted that the media's focus on the couple's alleged fallout is disproportionate, arguing that many deals are terminated without receiving the same level of public attention. "Deals come and go all the time, and we don't renew so many deals, those just don't get as much press for obvious reasons. There's no juicy story there."

The tension between the couple and their Hollywood collaborators appears to be a complex interplay of professional ambition, personal challenges, and media scrutiny. As Variety's report and Netflix's response illustrate, the narrative surrounding Meghan and Harry's relationship with the entertainment industry remains deeply contested. Whether these claims will hold up under further investigation or fade into the background of a broader media cycle remains to be seen. For now, the couple's representatives continue to push back against allegations they describe as misleading and harmful, while their business partners remain steadfast in their commitment to ongoing projects.