When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle do anything, it makes a splash. That's no different with their recent Netflix partnership, which the couple "inked months ago," according to an Us Weekly
source. Announced on September 2, the former royals signed a multi-year deal with the streaming service, where they'll produce content via their untitled production company. This agreement reportedly includes documentaries, children’s programming, docuseries, movies, and scripted series. Us reports that "an animated series celebrating women and a nature documentary" are already in development.
What wasn't disclosed at the time was just how much Meghan and Harry would be paid for their producing duties. According to an Us Weekly source, it's a sizable number and one agreed upon after several other high-profile offers. “Quibi had a huge offer out to Meghan Markle that was in the tens of millions,” the insider claimed. “Netflix swooped in and their production deal is worth over 100 million.” At the time of the Netflix announcement, The New York Timesnoted that the pair had "quietly talked with Disney and Apple" before signing with Netflix.
This figure comes right after it was reported that the Sussexes fully repaid the £2.4 million ($3.1 million) on renovations to their Windsor home, Frogmore Cottage. They've recently relocated to a California compound in Montecito with baby Archie. “Our focus will be on creating content that informs but also gives hope,” the couple said in a statement about their Netflix partnership, via the Times. “As new parents, making inspirational family programming is also important to us.” They added that Netflix’s “unprecedented reach will help us share impactful content that unlocks action.”
Although Meghan and Harry are a huge "get" for Netflix, this isn't the most they've shelled out in production deals. According to Business Insider, content mega-producers including Ryan Murphy, Shonda Rhimes, and Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss were able to secure larger pay days. Rhimes reportedly earned $150 million for projects that will include a scripted series about SoHo grifter Anna Sorokin. Benioff and Weiss were paid $200 million following the divisive GoT finale, per The Hollywood Reporter. And Ryan Murphy topped all content creators with his $300 million deal for shows including Hollywood, The Politician, and upcoming Ratched.
This isn't the Sussexes's only new project following their exit from Royal life in January. Prince Harry has collaborated with Oprah Winfrey to produce a mental health docuseries set for release on AppleTV+ later this year. The pair signed with New York-based Harry Walker Agency for speaking engagements. Plus, the couple will launch their non-profit Archewell in the coming months.