When Harry and Meghan first signed their multi-million-dollar deal with Netflix in 2020, the world saw it as their golden ticket to independence. After stepping back from royal duties, the couple needed both financial security and a platform to tell their side of the story. Netflix gave them both. But as the years have passed, that contract has become more of a trap than a lifeline, and walking away isn’t as simple as it sounds.
.jpg)
At the heart of the issue is the money. Netflix promised the Sussexes a reported $100 million, but those deals aren’t like winning the lottery — the full amount isn’t handed over all at once. Payments are staggered, tied to deliverables like documentaries, series, and other content. That means if Harry and Meghan quit, they don’t just lose future earnings — they could be forced to pay back what they’ve already received. For a couple who have built their brand around financial independence, such a blow would be disastrous.
Another reason is reputation. Meghan and Harry’s Netflix projects, from their explosive “Harry & Meghan” docuseries to the Live to Lead series, have kept them at the center of global conversations. Without Netflix, they risk fading from the cultural spotlight. In Hollywood, visibility is everything, and the Netflix partnership has kept their names on the headlines even when public opinion turned against them. Walking away now would raise uncomfortable questions — did they fail, or worse, were they dropped?
Then there’s the pressure from Netflix itself. The streaming giant has invested heavily in the Sussexes, betting that their royal fame would translate into big subscriber numbers. While some projects succeeded, others fizzled, and insiders say Netflix has grown impatient. But dropping Harry and Meghan would be an admission of defeat for the company too, so both sides are locked in a tense partnership neither can afford to end.
On top of all that, Harry and Meghan have tied much of their public identity to the idea of being storytellers. Meghan’s relaunch into Hollywood, Harry’s documentaries about mental health and Invictus Games — all of it leans on their Netflix deal. Walking away would leave them scrambling to find another platform willing to give them the same reach and budget. And after their falling-out with Spotify, options are limited.
Behind the glamour of red carpets and Hollywood meetings, the truth is simpler and far less romantic: Harry and Meghan are bound by contracts, money, and image. Walking away would mean losing millions, damaging their brand, and potentially closing the door to the only stage still giving them global attention. For now, the Sussexes remain tied to Netflix, whether they like it or not.