Harry and Meghan’s film endeavors appear to be stalled, with their $100 million (£74 million) Netflix agreement reportedly in question, according to recent reports.
Their production company, Archewell Productions, had announced plans in August 2023 to create a film adaptation of Carley Fortune’s novel, “Meet Me At The Lake.”
Netflix had secured the rights to the book for approximately £2.2 million ($2.9 million), yet the project has not moved forward.
Despite being in development for three years, the film still lacks both a cast and a director.
According to Page Six, insiders have suggested that these projects are currently in a state of uncertainty.
A Hollywood insider reportedly commented, “Three years in development for a project like this at Netflix isn’t a good sign.”
Plans for a movie version of Meet Me At The Lake marked a change in direction for the couple away from tell-all documentaries about the Royal Family.
The novel, which sold 37,000 copies in its first week, is centred around a couple who first meet in their 30s – just like Meghan and Harry.
Themes in the book include postnatal depression, mental health and childhood trauma relating to the death of a parent.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pictured arriving on their tour to Jordan in February
The Duchess of Sussex in her Netflix series With Love, Meghan – which came out in March 2025
The Sussexes, who recently returned from their tour to Jordan, have also announced their plans for a Netflix version of The Wedding Date, a 2018 novel by American author Jasmine Guillory.
Harry and Meghan had previously offered the streaming giant a new documentary called Cookie Queen, which was shown at Sundance Film Festival.
The film was described as ‘a coming-of-age story about the joys, pressures, and pain points woven into one of America’s most cherished rituals: Girl Scout Cookie season.’
However, the project is yet to be snapped up by a streamer or a distributor.
The Sussexes bagged their massive Netflix deal after stepping back at working royals in 2020.
And while their confessional documentary Harry & Meghan proved to be a huge success, other projects such as Polo – a documentary about the upper-class sport – only attracted 500,000 viewers.
Last August, the couple signed a new ‘multi-year’ contract with Netflix.
Meghan and Harry were described as ‘over the moon’ at the news, although it was understood to be far less lucrative than their previous one.
In a further blow, it emerged in January that the Duchess’s cookery show – With Love, Meghan – would not be returning for a third series on Netflix.
The series, which offered lifestyle tips from inside a rented £5million mansion near Meghan’s Montecito home, debuted in March 2025.
Archewell Productions, the couple’s media company, announced in August 2023 that it was making a film based on Carley Fortune’s novel Meet Me At The Lake (the author is pictured with the book cover)
The second season of With Love, Meghan also failed to land in Netflix’s Top 10 US shows in its debut week, according to Forbes.
Insiders told Page Six that the 44-year-old’s pet project won’t be up for renewal – after the Duchess called it ‘a lot of work’.
One insider claimed: ‘It is not returning as a series. There have been conversations about holiday specials, but there’s nothing in the works yet.’
Another source said: ‘People will see similar cooking and crafting on Meghan’s socials for the brand, but more bite-sized.’
Meghan is said to be concentrating on building her lifestyle brand, As Ever.
However, rumours have circulated that she may produce specials for some holidays, including July 4 – American Independence Day – and Valentine’s Day, but nothing has been confirmed.
It is understood that timelines for the Sussexes film adaptations partly depend on the writing and packaging process.
Allies of the couple maintain that Archewell Production continues to have a positive relationship with Netflix, as do insiders at the streaming firm.
The Daily Mail has approached representatives of the Sussexes for comment.
