The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are developing a feature film with Netflix.
Surprisingly, the movie won’t be about jam and wrapping Christmas presents, unlike the recent lifestyle projects they’ve produced with the streaming giant.
The new film is an adaptation of the Afghan war memoir, No Way Out: The Searing True Story of Men Under Siege.
Prince Harry served two tours of duty in the Afghanistan war, the first in 2007 – 2008, and the second in 2012 – 2013, during his decade-long tenure as a member of the British Army.
You may recall this dramatic moment of Harry running into action, which the Duchess of Sussex proudly shared on American Veteran’s Day?
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Meghan and Harry’s new Netflix project
The film will be produced by the ex-royal couple through their company Archewell Productions, with Netflix.
The book chronicles British Major Adam Jowett’s command of Easy Company, a unit of Paras and Royal Irish Rangers tasked with holding the District Centre of Musa Qala in Afghanistan in July 2006.
No Way Out is a new deal between Archewell’s and Netflix, after the first one ended a little dramatically this year.
Although both parties claimed the working relationship ended positively, sources told Variety that wasn’t so.
Variety says it “spoke to six well-placed individuals with knowledge of Netflix and the Sussexes, who say the union between Meghan, Harry and the streamer has been far from a fairy tale. The Sussexes’ perceived pattern of selling repackaged versions of the same story about their exit from royal life has exhausted Netflix.”
Variety added, “Three insiders say Netflix chief Ted Sarandos is fed up with the pair — who, per two sources, have been known to text directly with the Co-CEO about their projects, as do many A-listers who work with the streamer.
“Similarly, chief content officer Bela Bajaria is said to have grown weary of the Sussex pact.”
But according to Variety, ”Netflix spokesperson says it is “absolutely inaccurate” that Sarandos and Bajaria have lost faith in the couple.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex in their first Netflix show. Image: Netflix
Issues such as the launch of Meghan’s personal podcast, Harry’s book Spare, and the couple’s Oprah interview, as unforeseen events that threw a spanner into the works of the Netflix relationship, after the deal with struck in 2020.
Netflix responded to the Variety story, with a spokesperson insisting to Page Six that the split was mutual.
“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,” the statement said.
“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.”
Top Image: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Credit: Instagram