Are Prince Harry and Meghan Markle really making a reality TV show?
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have made the most of their celebrity since leaving the royal family in April. The couple signed a massive production deal with Netflix and now they are rumored to star in a “fly-on-the-wall” reality series about their transition to civilian life.
There have been conflicting reports as to what the reality series would be about. One source claimed the series would depict Harry and Meghan’s “philanthropy rather than what they get up to behind closed doors,” and that cameras would not be allowed inside the couple’s Montecito, California mansion. “It will still be a fascinating insight and Meghan hopes viewers will get to see the real her,” the source told Page Six.
Reality TV rumors
Another source believed that Harry and Meghan’s home life would play a crucial role in the series, and that cameras would be allowed in their mansion for a three-month shoot. The source also claimed that Netflix would add an element of salaciousness to the series, regardless of what Harry and Meghan had in mind.
“It will be tasteful,” the source told The Sun. “They want to give people a glimpse into their lives. They may have had all these lofty ideas about producing epics highlighting environmental causes and the poverty gap, but Netflix obviously wants their pound of flesh.”
Media scrutiny
Harry and Meghan have repeatedly voiced their dislike for the media, and the couple cited lack of privacy as one of the reasons they decided to leave the royal family. Harry has stated that his mother was subjected to intense media scrutiny and he doesn’t want his wife and child to undergo the same treatment. The irony of the couple agreeing to a reality show has not been lost on some UK spectators.
Ingrid Stewart, editor of Majesty Magazine, told The Sun that Harry and Meghan’s actions seem contradictory. “We were told they had gone to California for greater privacy so it all appears rather hypocritical,” she reasoned. “It is extraordinary. This is exactly what they said they wouldn’t do. The more they talk about themselves the more people won’t be interested in anything else they have to offer.”
The couple were also criticized by Good Morning Britain hosts Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid. “I have reached a tipping point,” Reid announced. “I am really private and I think if you are going to complain about intrusion into your privacy then having a fly on the wall series on your private life is not the message you should be sending.”
Behind the camera
Despite various reports, the rumor of a Harry and Meghan series appears to be false. A representative for the couple told reporter Omid Scobie that they are “not taking part in reality shows” and outlets suggesting otherwise are “completely false.” The rep stated that Harry and Meghan will work behind the camera when it comes to their Netflix productions.
The former royals currently have two shows in development— a nature docu-series and an animated series celebrating inspiring women. Harry told The New York Times that their focus is on making content that will “inspire” and “inform” rather than bolster their fame. The only time the couple will be in front of the camera is when they appear in their self-produced documentaries.
Netflix co-CEO Reed Hastings told CNBC that the couple will premiere their shows in 2021. “It’ll be some of the most exciting, most viewed content next year,” he teased. “It’s gonna be epic entertainment. They’re smart, they were shopping it around across all of the major companies, and I think we really put together the best complete package, and we’re going to do a wide range of entertainment with them.”
