The film rights to a romantic novel that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are set to produce for Netflix as part of their £80 million deal have been acquired for £3 million by Netflix executives,
sources claim.
Initial reports had suggested that the couple themselves had personally financed the adaptation of Carley Fortune's novel "The Meet Me At The Lake," a work echoing elements of their personal narrative, including a character whose parent passes away in a car accident.
However, an insider from Page Six has now revealed that it was Netflix itself that secured the rights for them under their Archewell Productions banner.
The source described the book as a suitable choice, aligning with the couple's affinity for love stories and romantic comedies. This inclination to share their "love story" has already been evident in their 2022 Netflix documentary "Harry & Meghan."
The US-based outlet also reported that the couple has undergone a restructuring of their team following the departure of producer Ben Browning, who previously led internal content at Archewell Productions and managed the documentary.
Reportedly, the couple has recently parted ways with Nishika Kumble, Archewell's senior vice-president of scripted television, who had held the role for less than two years.
PR expert Mark Borkowski suggested that the financial backers of the Netflix adaptation may have overpaid due to the couple's lack of experience in drama or significant production endeavors.
Penguin Random House, which published Prince Harry's global bestseller "Spare," might have been involved in the deal since the company also published "Meet Me At The Lake."
Author Carley Fortune, a fan of Meghan Markle, referred to her book as a "love letter to Toronto," a city where Meghan filmed the hit series "Suits."
Mr. Borkowski expressed the opinion that the adaptation might be an attempt by Harry and Meghan to revive their media careers, following several deal collapses and business disappointments. He remarked that they seem to be off the radar and speculated that there might be more to the announcement than meets the eye.
He further stated, "They need to do something. According to Tom Bower, they fell out with the Beckhams. Harry was forced to cold shoulder Becks because of Meghan's position on Victoria. The rights for this could have cost up to £3 million. Although, if it's a best-seller, you wouldn't be handing it to Harry and Meghan. There's some amazing drama producers out there. Why would you give away a prize asset?"
Penguin Random House has been contacted for comment.
This adaptation will mark the couple's first endeavor at producing a fictional work within their multimillion-pound Netflix deal, which reportedly faces uncertainty.
The author of the novel, Carley Fortune, is known to admire the Sussexes and expressed that she was moved to tears watching their 2018 wedding.
Carley Fortune, based in Toronto, Canada, is a writer and journalist who watched the royal wedding at St George's Chapel in Windsor in 2018 at 4 AM local time as the Sussexes exchanged vows.
The novel "Meet Me At The Lake," Fortune's second, is set in Ontario and the city of Toronto. Its themes reportedly resonate with the couple, possibly due to Meghan's connection with the Canadian city, where she lived during the filming of "Suits."
The project comes following the cancellation of the couple's reported £18 million Spotify deal, which was linked to Meghan's podcast "Archetypes."
While Ms. Fortune has not yet commented on the reported deal, she is likely pleased to have given the rights to the Duke and Duchess.
The New York Times bestselling author has previously expressed admiration for "Suits," a legal drama that marked Meghan's breakthrough in the entertainment industry.
Despite stepping away from royal duties to raise their family away from the royal spotlight, the couple has encountered challenges, including the loss of their Spotify partnership. Their efforts to establish themselves in Hollywood have also encountered obstacles, despite Meghan's acting background.
Their docuseries "Harry and Meghan" gained global attention, but the couple's brand has been seen as challenging to market due to the associated drama and raised expectations.
Harry is currently working on a series centered around the Invictus Games, an event he established for ex-service individuals to participate in sports. "Heart of Invictus" is expected to premiere on Netflix later this year. Photo by Coolcaesar, Wikimedia commons.