Archewell Productions Trims Crews Over 12 to 18 Months as Netflix Questions Mount

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have downsized Archewell Productions over the past 12 to 18 months, leaving the company with just a handful of employees at its Raleigh Studios offices in Los Angeles, Page Six reported. "They cut staff over the last 12 to 18 months," a source told the outlet. Representatives for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex did not respond to Page Six's requests for comment.

Archewell's Crew Cuts and Netflix Ties

The staffing reductions affected production crews hired to work on projects including "With Love, Meghan" and "Harry & Meghan," not full-time employees of Archewell Productions, according to Page Six. The company continues to maintain its Hollywood office despite the downsizing and the couple's move back to the UK, and employees still come and go from the building, the outlet reported.

Markle and Harry launched Archewell Productions in 2020 after stepping back from their roles as senior working members of the royal family. The company produced the couple's 2022 six-part docuseries "Harry & Meghan" and Markle's lifestyle series "With Love, Meghan," which has not been renewed for a third season, though Page Six reported the possibility of future specials has not been ruled out.

The partnership with Netflix has drawn scrutiny amid reports of behind-the-scenes tensions and questions about the performance of the couple's projects. In March, Variety reported that Archewell Productions had struggled to deliver successful programming and that its relationship with Netflix had become increasingly strained. Page Six previously reported that two of the couple's anticipated Netflix movie projects were stuck in limbo.

The reported reductions follow previously disclosed cuts at the couple's separate charitable organization. Page Six reported in December 2025 that three employees were let go from Archewell Philanthropies, formerly the Archewell Foundation, amid a restructuring intended to reduce operating costs. A spokesperson said at the time that staffing reductions were "inevitable" as the organization underwent changes.

Archewell's Netflix Deal and Project Pipeline

Archewell Productions operates under a multi-year first-look deal with Netflix, according to akta.pro company records, producing scripted and non-scripted content exclusively for Netflix distribution. The company extended that multi-year partnership in March 2026, with the announcement of a scripted polo drama series marking the first scripted series under the renewed arrangement, the same records show.

The records list multiple projects in active development, including a "Meet Me At The Lake" adaptation, the film "No Way Out," and the polo drama series. Archewell Productions developed "No Way Out," an adaptation of Major Adam Jowett's memoir about the 2006 Battle of Musa Qala, with Oscar-nominated screenwriter Matt Charman attached, according to the same records. The company premiered the documentary "Cookie Queens" at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2026, executive produced by Markle.

Harry and Markle's Return to the UK

Harry, 42, and Markle, 45, have been spending more time in the United Kingdom after deciding to relocate from their Montecito, California, estate, Page Six reported. The pair made their first official joint outing on Thursday since returning to the UK, stepping out in Nottingham around 10:35 a.m., with Markle telling one well-wisher that "it's great to be back."