Bela Bajaria pushes back on rift reports
Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria has dismissed claims that the streaming company is at odds with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, calling for skepticism about recent reporting on the couple’s relationship with the platform.
Speaking at Netflix’s “Next on Netflix” event on Wednesday, March 18, Bajaria addressed the speculation directly. “Don’t believe whatever you read. Maybe we should all do a little fact-checking,” she said.
Netflix says projects are still in development
Bajaria said Netflix still has work in progress with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. “We have movies in development with them,” she said, adding that the pair also “have things in development on the TV and film side.”
She pointed to the couple’s previous Netflix release as evidence of an ongoing creative relationship, referencing their six-episode docuseries Harry & Meghan, which premiered in December 2022.
Background to the dispute claims
The comments followed a report published on March 17 that described a strained relationship between the couple and Netflix, including claims the company was caught off guard by Meghan and Harry’s 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey and Harry’s 2023 memoir Spare.
Both Netflix and representatives for Meghan and Harry disputed those claims. A spokesperson for the couple said it was “categorically false” that Netflix was unaware of the Winfrey interview, adding that legal counsel was involved in deal changes, which they described as standard practice in Hollywood.
As ever brand moves forward independently
Separately, Meghan announced on March 6 that her lifestyle brand, As ever, would end its partnership with Netflix and continue independently. A spokesperson for As ever said the brand had experienced rapid growth and was ready to stand on its own.
Netflix also issued a supportive statement, saying it was always intended that Meghan would continue growing the brand independently and that the company looked forward to seeing its next chapter.
