and Prince Harry
have had a hit-and-miss journey with their 5-year, $100 million Netflix deal. Their first project, Harry & Meghan
, became Netflix’s second most successful documentary ever. However, their follow-up docuseries, Heart of Invictus
, failed to crack Netflix’s Top 10 chart in the US and the UK. Now, it seems there is little hope for the Sussexes to extend their time with the streaming giant. The Duke and Duchess’ latest Netflix project is Polo
, a documentary diving into the world of polo.
According to an expert, this series might spell the end of their partnership with Netflix, ending their chances of a deal renewal.
Polo made Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s future with Netflix shaky
Since the trailer for Polo
was released, it has been met with mostly lukewarm reactions. Many critics seem unimpressed by the concept and its execution, which does not bode well for the couple’s chances of securing another deal with Netflix. The documentary hit Netflix on December 8, but it is already being written off as a flop. Royal experts have not held back their opinions either. Brand and culture expert Nick Ede, for example, told the Daily Mail
that Polo
could be the final “nail in the coffin
” for the Sussexes at Netflix.
Polo, a behind-the-scenes look at the fast-paced and glamorous world of the sport, is coming to Netflix on December 10.
Follow elite global players on and off the field as they compete in the high-stakes U.S. Open Polo Championship. From executive producers Prince Harry and… pic.twitter.com/P4oaALuFA0
— Netflix (@netflix) November 21, 2024
Ede also pointed out that Polo
might struggle to standout with so many other new releases, especially the holiday-themed films that are dominating the platform right now. Even major outlets like The Guardian have criticized the series, calling it an “unintentional comedy
” about “the stupidest, most obnoxious sport known to humanity
.” Meanwhile, The Telegraph dismissed the show as “a dull indulgence about a rich person’s pursuit.
” But what exactly went wrong with Polo
to make critics say it was doomed to flop?
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle missed the mark by leaving out the one thing that made their docuseries Harry & Meghan
so special.
What went wrong with Netflix’s Polo?
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Polo
series has been called out for its lack of a personal touch
. Last month, a source told the Daily Mail that Netflix executives are unhappy with Polo
because it does not showcase the Sussexes enough. “People want personal stuff
,” the source said, while praising the couple’s headline-grabbing Harry & Meghan
that debuted two years ago.
In Polo
, the Prince and Markle make only fleeting, seconds-long appearances that feel more like a contractual obligation.
Markle has a brief moment speaking Spanish to polo legend Adolfo Cambiaso, while the Duke shares an interesting conversation with Cambiaso about father-son dynamics. Still, the couple’s minimal screen time has sparked questions about how involved they actually were in the project. Fans have also criticized Prince Harry for not mentioning the royal family, who have been synonymous with polo for decades. With back-to-back disappointments, the future of the Sussexes’ once-promising Netflix deal looks uncertain.
Read More: 8 Times Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Dropped Truth Bombs for The British Royal Family
What do you think about Nick Ede’s claim? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
