Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Deny Claims Netflix Was "Blindsided" by Outside Projects

he Duke and Duchess of Sussex hit back at reports claiming Netflix was unaware of their Oprah interview and memoir plans, citing a "categorically false" narrative.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 18, 2026, 6:07 AM EDT

Source: People

The Communication Conflict

The central tension in the Variety report revolves around the timeline of the couple's 2021 sit-down with Oprah. Sources alleged that Netflix was only informed of the interview shortly before it aired, leading to internal frustration. The Sussexes’ representative countered this directly, stating that legal counsel for both Netflix and Archewell was involved throughout the evolution of their deal, ensuring all parties were aligned on outside projects. A source familiar with the situation further clarified to PEOPLE that the couple’s contract explicitly allowed for independent publishing and interview opportunities.

'Spare' and Timing Tensions

Similar claims were made regarding the release of Spare. The report suggested that Netflix executives, including co-CEO Ted Sarandos, were led to believe the book was a distant prospect, only to be surprised by its formal announcement in 2021. The Duchess of Sussex’s spokesperson described this characterization as "categorically untrue," asserting that there was "open communication" months in advance to coordinate the launch of the Harry & Meghan docuseries with the book’s debut to avoid promotional overlap.

Post-Production Friction

The Variety report also hinted at creative friction during the final stages of the Harry & Meghan docuseries.