Duke and Duchess of Sussex plan Great Expectations spin-off show

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are working on a ‘Great Expectations’ spin-off show for Netflix despite Harry and Meghan ‘unproductive’ say Netflix and Spotify chiefs

The couple signed a rumoured $100 million deal with the streaming service when they stepped down as senior royals to move to California three years ago, and though their agreement has so far only yielded the ‘Harry + Meghan’ fly-on-the-wall docuseries and another documentary programme, ‘Live to Lead’, there are other ventures in the pipeline.

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan’s Archewell company are making ‘Bad Manners’, a prequel based on Charles Dickens’ classic character Miss Havisham but with the lonely spinster reimagined as a strong woman living in a patriarchal society, though the show has yet to be greenlit.

Harry’s documentary series about the Invictus Games is also near completion, however, Meghan’s animated children’s series ‘Pearl’ was cancelled last May, and the couple have also had a number of other proposals quashed.

The outlet reports their suggestions seemed designed to replicate already-successful shows on Netflix, including a sitcom “described as ‘Emily in Paris’, but about a man” and an LGBTQ+ show that would be family-friendly, which was seen as too similar to ‘Heartstopper’.

Despite the knock-backs, both Harry and Meghan – who have Prince Archie, four, and Princess Lilibet, two, together – and Netflix remain happy with the deal.

“New companies often make changes in their start up phase, both with people and strategy, and we are no exception. We’re more equipped, focused and energised than ever before.”

She also noted the company had recently hired actress and producer Tracy Ryerson as head of scripted content.

Meanwhile, Netflix’s representative highlighted the fact ‘Harry + Meghan’ had been their biggest documentary debut and insisted they valued the partnership with Archewell.

The spokesperson added: “We’ll continue to work together on a number of projects.”

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been warned another contract worth £40 million to the couple is on the brink of being ripped up.

Just a fortnight after Spotify announced it was parting ways with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Netflix is also thought to be wobbling.
A source at the video streaming giant suggested that a significant some of money could be withheld from the couple unless they started pitching better ideas.

“There’s no question of a headline-grabbing, public parting of the way.
“Netflix was pleased to sign Harry and Meghan and is looking for some great ideas going forward,” a source told The Sun.

“But the remainder of the deal relies on them producing those good ideas.

“The deal’s continually under review which is normal for ones of this magnitude.”

Executives at Netflix have accused the couple of failing to produce strong suggestions for new shows.

They were said to be “underwhelmed” by the offers from the Sussexes.

Ideas put forward included a number of programmes which were already very similar to shows already made by Netflix.

They pitched a sitcom which was similar to Emily in Paris but “about a man”, and a show about LGBT characters similar to those in Heartstopper.

Netflix decided not to take any of the suggestions forward.