Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are venturing back into the world of polo with a new scripted television series for Netflix, following the streaming giant’s split with the Duchess of Sussex’s lifestyle brand, As Ever.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will serve as executive producers on the currently untitled drama through their company Archewell Productions, partnering with Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage’s Fake Empire production house.
Francisca X. Hu, whose credits include Peacock’s Teacup, has been brought on board to pen the script.
The project represents a significant shift for the couple, moving from documentary content into fictional storytelling whilst maintaining their focus on the elite equestrian sport.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle confirm new scripted Netflix series following split
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The drama unfolds in Wellington, Florida, a prestigious equestrian hub, and centres on the turbulent relationships between two competing polo teams and the wealthy families who control them.
Described as an upstairs-downstairs narrative, the series aims to broaden perspectives on what has traditionally been viewed as an elitist pursuit, often dubbed the “sport of kings”.
The project draws its inspiration from Harry’s 2024 documentary Polo, which chronicled teams vying for glory at the US Open Polo Championship and the family dynasties surrounding them.
That docuseries, a passion project for the prince who remains an enthusiastic player with extensive connections in polo circles, attracted limited viewership and concluded after a single season.
Prince Harry is an exceptionally talented polo player | GETTY
Ms Hu joins the executive producer roster alongside Harry, Meghan, and Archewell’s head of scripted content, Tracy Ryerson, with Mr Schwartz and Ms Savage completing the team.
The collaboration reunites Ms Hu with the Fake Empire founders, having previously worked together on the CW’s Dynasty.
This polo drama forms part of a broader slate the Sussexes have in development under their Netflix arrangement, which has transitioned from an overall deal to a first-look agreement.
Among their other projects are film adaptations of Jasmine Guillory’s novel The Wedding Date, with Tracy Oliver attached as writer, and Carley Fortune’s Meet Me at the Lake, which is currently seeking a director.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry founded their charity foundation Archewell in 2020 | ARCHEWELL
Development on these projects continues amid heightened scrutiny following Netflix’s recent withdrawal as an investor in Meghan’s lifestyle brand, As Ever, and after her accompanying series With Love, Meghan did not receive an order beyond its initial two seasons.
Netflix’s Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria addressed speculation about the partnership at the Next on Netflix event last week, telling Deadline: “We still have a relationship with them. We have movies in development with them. We have an amazing doc with them.
“They have things in development on the TV and film side. Deals come and go all the time, and we don’t renew so many deals, those just don’t get as much press for obvious reasons. There’s no juicy story there.”
The couple’s most commercially successful Netflix venture remains their 2022 documentary Harry & Meghan, which achieved the platform’s highest-ever debut for a docuseries.