Once upon a time, in a land of sunshine, designer lattes, and star-studded galas, a royal couple set out to conquer Hollywood. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, fresh off their dramatic royal exit, seemed poised to take the entertainment world by storm. Armed with multimillion-dollar deals and an arsenal of royal revelations, they had everything they needed for a successful rebrand.
Fast forward to 2025, and that Hollywood dream looks more like a box office flop. The buzz has faded, the projects haven’t quite landed, and America appears to have collectively hit the snooze button on the Sussexes. So, what exactly went wrong in the land of glitz and glamour?
A Grand Hollywood Entrance
When Harry and Meghan packed their bags for California in 2020, Hollywood rolled out the red carpet. Streaming giants saw them as the ultimate power couple—royalty meets celebrity, with just the right amount of scandal.
Netflix handed them a reported $100 million deal, and Spotify threw in $20 million for exclusive content. The Sussex brand was hot, the media was listening, and the possibilities seemed endless. But as Hollywood loves to remind us, a strong start doesn’t guarantee a happy ending.
Static on the Airwaves
Their first major stumble? Spotify.
The couple’s production company, Archewell Audio, was supposed to create a slate of must-listen podcasts. Instead, after two and a half years, the grand total stood at:
- One 33-minute holiday special
- One 12-episode podcast, Archetypes
That’s it.
And for $20 million, Spotify wasn’t impressed. The deal was quietly scrapped in 2023, with insiders claiming the Sussexes weren’t producing enough content. One of Spotify’s top executives, Bill Simmons, even called them “grifters” on his own podcast. Ouch.
It wasn’t just a business failure—it was a credibility hit. Hollywood thrives on follow-through, and the Sussexes had just fumbled their first major opportunity.
From Blockbuster to Boring
The Netflix deal, while still intact, hasn’t exactly been a home run either.
Sure, their 2022 docuseries Harry & Meghan drew eyeballs, but it was mostly about their royal fallout—territory they’ve covered again (and again) in interviews, books, and podcasts.
Since then, their other projects have failed to generate the same level of buzz:
- “Polo” (2024) – A docuseries about the elite sport, but critics found it unrelatable and lacking in depth. The Guardian predicted it would “fall through the submenus into obscurity.»
- “With Love, Meghan” – A proposed cooking and lifestyle show that now appears to be in limbo, with reports suggesting Netflix is rethinking its investment.
It turns out Hollywood was eager for new content, not just an extended tell-all.
From Royal Rebels to… Overexposed?
When Harry and Meghan first left royal life, they were met with waves of public sympathy. The narrative of an independent couple breaking free from “The Firm” was compelling. But somewhere along the way, that goodwill started to fade.
Royal expert Ingrid Seward noted that many Americans now feel let down, particularly by their perceived treatment of the late Queen Elizabeth.The couple’s criticism of the royal family, once headline gold, has started to feel repetitive. Their ventures—whether books, shows, or interviews—are often seen as cashing in on their royal connections rather than building something fresh. Hollywood loves reinvention, but the Sussexes have been playing the same note for four years.
The Sussex Brand Struggle
Reports suggest Harry and Meghan may not even be on the same page about their future.
Meghan is focused on media, lifestyle, and brand-building, with projects ranging from entertainment deals to potential fashion and wellness ventures. Harry, on the other hand, reportedly longs for more traditional charitable work—something closer to his pre-Hollywood identity.
This disconnect in goals could be why their brand feels inconsistent. One day, it’s about mental health initiatives, the next, it’s about Meghan’s potential cooking show. A clear, focused strategy? Missing in action.
Hollywood’s Harsh Reality
Hollywood is brutal when it comes to relevance. The town runs on hype, but it also runs on results.
An industry insider summed it up bluntly:
“They were given every opportunity to shine in Hollywood… They have done worse than nothing—they have actively destroyed the opportunities they were given.”
Yikes.
Being royal gets you in the door. But without hit projects, the star power fades. The Sussexes still have name recognition, but they haven’t built a consistent, bankable brand. And in a world where even A-list celebrities struggle to hold the public’s attention, that’s a problem.
What’s Next?
So, what now? Do Harry and Meghan double down on Hollywood, or do they pivot to something new?
If they want to stay in entertainment – They need fresh ideas, solid execution, and projects that stand on their own merit—not just because of their royal connections. If they pivot back to philanthropy – Harry’s global charity work (Invictus Games, mental health advocacy) has always been well-received. Leaning into that could help repair their public image. Or maybe… a break from the spotlight? – Sometimes, stepping back is the best move before a comeback.
Whatever they choose, one thing is clear: Hollywood is no longer handing them free passes.
Their future isn’t about their titles anymore—it’s about what they actually do. And in an industry that thrives on action, the Sussexes have a choice: evolve or fade into the background.
And for a couple who once shook up the royal world, fading away doesn’t seem like their style.