Harry and Meghan planning new Netflix films and TV series: Sussexes working on a 'bunch' of new projects, with a film and 'unscripted' shows in development, executive at streaming giant reveals

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are working on “a lot” of new Netflix projects, including a film and two other “unscripted” projects, a company executive said.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex signed a five-year deal with the California-based streaming giant in 2020 worth an estimated $100 million (£80 million).

But there was uncertainty over whether the deal will be extended next year, especially after their £15m Spotify contract expired at the beginning of June last year.

Now, Netflix Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria has revealed that Harry and Meghan “actually have a lot in development” under their Archewell Productions division.

According to The timesMs Bajaria told a Netflix promotional event in Hollywood that the Sussexes were working on “a few unscripted things” – believed to be documentaries – plus a film and a series that are all in “very early development”.

The couple's six-part documentary 'Harry and Meghan' (pictured) was their first Netflix release in December 2022, including a series of swipes at the royal family

It comes after Harry and Meghan turned up in Jamaica last week after being invited by the family of Paramount boss Brian Robbins with whom they have a friendship.

The Sussexes, who attended the premiere of new Bob Marley film One Love, were pictured with father-of-three Mr Robbins and his stylist wife Tracy James, who live in Los Angeles.

The photos and revelation of a friendship were notable as the Sussexes may have been looking for new forms of income amid speculation about the Netflix deal.

Brand and culture expert Nick Ede said at the time that Harry and Meghan would “want to look around and see where they can land their next ratings winner.”

Last November, Meghan revealed that the Sussexes have several projects on the horizon and that she wanted to “produce things that make people feel something.”

Speaking at the Variety Women of Power Gala in Los Angeles, she said: “We have so many exciting things planned. I can't wait until we can announce them, but I'm just really proud of what we're creating and my husband loves it too.”

The couple's six-part documentary “Harry and Meghan” was their first Netflix release in December 2022, which included a series of swipes at the royal family.

Three weeks later, the Sussexes released their second Netflix production, “Live to Lead,” which was about world leaders who have fought for social justice.

In August last year, Harry released his latest series Heart of Invictus, which saw athletes preparing for the 2022 edition of the games and openly speaking out about mental health issues after returning from military service in Afghanistan.

Netflix's chief content officer Bela Bajaria (pictured in Los Angeles last month) revealed that Harry and Meghan 'actually have a lot in development' under their Archewell Productions division

In August last year, Harry released his latest series Heart of Invictus, which saw athletes prepare for the 2022 edition of the games and see him speak about mental health issues.

Also last August, Netflix paid £3 million for the film rights to Carley Fortune's romance novel Meet Me At The Lake, which Harry and Meghan will produce.

But last May, Netflix canceled Meghan's planned animated series Pearl as part of a wave of budget cuts due to the streaming service's declining subscriber base.

Earlier today, Harry and Meghan released a new video urging social media companies to reduce the amount of harmful content children see online.

The Duke and Duchess last night released the clip of their performance during a discussion on World Mental Health Day in New York on October 10 last year.

They published the video on their Archewell website after a US Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on online child safety in Washington yesterday – and saw politicians warn social media giants: 'You have blood on your hands'.

At yesterday's hearing, Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg stood and apologized to families who say social media contributed to their children's suicide or abuse.

Last month, a cornerstone of Harry and Meghan's Netflix series left production, bringing the total number of employees they've lost since their wedding to at least 17.

Archewell TV executive Bennett Levine left the company last month and moved to an American rival, a move described as a serious “blow” for the couple.

He replaces his former boss, Oscar-winning producer Ben Browning, who oversaw “Harry & Meghan” and “Live to Lead” and also quit last year.

Mr Bennett, who is regarded as a young star in the industry, is believed to be at least the 17th person to leave the Sussexes' employ since they married in 2018.