In a devastating turn of events that’s sending shockwaves through Hollywood and Montecito alike, Netflix has officially pulled the plug on its partnership with Meghan Markle, dealing what insiders are calling a crushing blow to her already troubled lifestyle brand, As Ever. The streaming giant’s decision to end its collaboration on the Duchess of Sussex’s jam-and-lifestyle empire comes amid mounting reports that the couple’s once-lucrative $100 million production deal is now hanging by a thread, leaving Prince Harry and Meghan’s grand Hollywood ambitions in utter disarray.
Sources close to the situation reveal that Netflix executives have grown increasingly frustrated with the lackluster performance of Archewell Productions, the Sussexes’ media company founded in 2020 after their dramatic exit from royal duties. What was once hailed as a groundbreaking multi-year agreement—valued at a staggering $100 million—has reportedly fizzled out, producing only a handful of projects that failed to capture the audience’s imagination or deliver the expected ratings bonanza.
The bombshell decision centers around Meghan’s highly anticipated lifestyle brand, As Ever, which launched with much fanfare in early 2024. Promising a blend of high-end jams, artisanal home goods, and empowering wellness content, the brand was positioned as Meghan’s triumphant return to the spotlight, blending her pre-royal acting roots with her newfound status as a global influencer. But cracks began to show almost immediately. Sales of the signature strawberry jam—priced at an eye-watering $50 per jar—were described by retail analysts as “disappointing,” with many consumers balking at the premium pricing in an era of economic uncertainty.
Insiders whisper that Netflix had initially signed on to produce a docuseries tied to As Ever, tentatively titled “From Montecito with Love,” which was meant to showcase Meghan’s day-to-day life curating her brand, complete with celebrity cameos and feel-good narratives about female empowerment. However, production stalled amid creative differences and budget overruns. “Meghan wanted full creative control, but Netflix pushed back, insisting on more relatable content,” one anonymous source from the set told us. “It turned into a nightmare—scripts were rewritten endlessly, and the whole thing just didn’t gel.”
The fallout extends beyond just the lifestyle series. Archewell’s previous Netflix outputs, including the 2022 docuseries “Harry & Meghan” and the 2023 animated project “Pearl” (which was quietly shelved before release), have been met with mixed reviews and underwhelming viewership numbers. Critics argue that the Sussexes’ content has veered too far into self-promotion, alienating viewers who crave authentic storytelling over polished PR spins. “The $100 million deal was supposed to be a game-changer, but it’s turned into a cautionary tale,” says Hollywood analyst Rebecca Ford. “Netflix is tightening its belt after subscriber losses, and they’re not in the mood to bankroll vanity projects anymore.”
Adding fuel to the fire, reports from Montecito paint a picture of mounting tension in the Sussex household. Prince Harry, whose memoir “Spare” became a bestseller but also deepened rifts with the British royal family, has been leaning heavily on the Netflix partnership to fund their lavish lifestyle. The couple’s $14 million mansion, complete with nine bedrooms and a home theater, doesn’t come cheap, and with speaking gigs drying up and book deals exhausted, the loss of Netflix’s backing could spell financial peril. “Harry’s polo hobbies and Meghan’s brand ambitions aren’t sustainable without big checks rolling in,” an insider confided. “They’re in limbo, scrambling to pivot.”
The As Ever brand itself is teetering on the brink. Launched via an Instagram soft-rollout featuring A-list friends like Oprah Winfrey and Serena Williams gushing over gift baskets, the line expanded to include scented candles, organic teas, and even a line of eco-friendly kitchenware. But consumer feedback has been brutal. Social media is awash with memes mocking the “royal jam” as overpriced and overhyped, with one viral TikTok video comparing it unfavorably to budget supermarket brands. Retail partners, including high-end stores like Neiman Marcus, have reportedly scaled back orders, citing slow turnover.
This isn’t the first setback for Meghan’s entrepreneurial ventures. Her previous foray into lifestyle content with The Tig blog shuttered amid her engagement to Harry, and attempts to revive similar vibes through Archewell have struggled to gain traction. Experts point to a broader “Sussex fatigue” in the public eye—after years of tell-all interviews, Netflix specials, and Spotify podcasts (the latter of which ended acrimoniously in 2023), audiences seem ready to move on. “The world is tired of the constant narrative of victimhood and reinvention,” notes royal commentator Kinsey Schofield. “Meghan’s brand was supposed to be about empowerment, but it’s coming across as elitist and out of touch.”
Netflix’s move comes at a particularly precarious time for the streaming industry. With competitors like Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video ramping up original content, Netflix has been ruthless in axing underperforming deals. High-profile casualties include the Obamas’ Higher Ground Productions seeing scaled-back output and even Kevin Spacey’s pre-scandal empire crumbling. For the Sussexes, this could mark the end of their Hollywood honeymoon. “They’re shopping around for new partners, but the buzz isn’t there,” our source adds. “Studios are wary—Harry and Meghan bring headlines, but not always the good kind.”
As the dust settles, questions swirl about what’s next for the Duke and Duchess. Will Harry return to his Invictus Games roots, focusing on veteran causes? Could Meghan pivot back to acting, perhaps guest-starring in a Suits reboot? Or might they double down on philanthropy through Archewell Foundation, which has faced its own scrutiny over donation transparency? One thing’s certain: the once-unstoppable Sussex machine is sputtering, and Hollywood’s golden doors are slamming shut.
Fans and foes alike are glued to their screens, waiting for the next chapter in this royal soap opera. Will the couple bounce back, or is this the beginning of the end for their American dream? Stay tuned—because if history’s any guide, Harry and Meghan aren’t going down without a fight. But with Netflix out of the picture and As Ever on life support, their empire might just be toast.
