Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are continuing to "establish their media brand" in Hollywood but still lack one key ingredient on their quest to make it as industry heavy-hitters, an entertainment expert has suggested, after the couple's latest docuseries was overlooked for a prestigious Emmy nomination.
After splitting from the monarchy in 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex re-established themselves as philanthropists and media producers Stateside, setting up the Archewell Foundation as the charitable arm of their operations and Archewell Productions through which to channel their Hollywood ambitions.
The couple signed a multi-million dollar content creation deal with Netflix soon after their move and so far have released three docuseries in partnership with the streaming giant, each to varying receptions.
The media reaction surrounding each of the couple's releases has proven that when Harry and Meghan speak there's an audience willing to listen, but Archewell Productions' mission to "unite and inspire audiences around the globe" through "illuminating thought-provoking and diverse narratives that underscore our common humanity and celebrate community," is still establishing itself, entertainment expert and founder of MarkMeets, Mark Boardman told Newsweek.
If the royals are to further this cause to develop the content and impact they desire, obtaining recognition from their Hollywood peers in terms of awards nominations and, even more importantly, wins will be a key step to the next level.
On Wednesday, the couple's latest project Heart of Invictus was snubbed in the 76th Emmy Award nominations. However, far from taking this as a setback, Boardman suggests this is simply evidence that their Hollywood journey still has room to grow.
"Archewell Productions is still establishing its foothold in the industry," he said.
"As they continue to build their portfolio and establish their media brand, future projects might stand a better chance of breaking through in award circuits.
"The critical reception of Heart of Invictus shows that they are on the right path, and it's likely only a matter of time before Archewell Productions achieve the recognition they seek whether the content features Harry and Meghan or not."
When it comes to awards season and the projects nominated, Boardman suggested there are multiple elements at play, which will take time for production companies to implement and establish.
"The Emmy nominations often reflect a blend of factors beyond just critical acclaim and viewership numbers. Campaign efforts, industry relationships, and timing of release can also play crucial roles in determining which projects ultimately make the cut," he said.
"For a production company like Archewell Productions, which is still establishing its foothold in the entertainment industry, these considerations become even more pivotal during awards season, especially when featuring themes close to Harry and Meghan's hearts.
"While Heart of Invictus may have missed out on Emmy recognition this year, I personally found the series captivating and moving. The impact on audiences and its role in raising awareness about important issues should not be understated."
Newsweek approached representatives of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle via email for comment.
Harry and Meghan currently have a number of media projects in the works, including two new docuseries for Netflix.
One will be headed by Harry providing an in-depth look at the world of professional polo, and the other curated by Meghan based on her love of entertaining.
In March, the couple were given a boost of confidence from Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, who said that they are making a positive impact in the industry.
"I do think that they are also going to be very strong storytellers," he said at an entertainment industry event, per Forbes. "With great exposure to media in terms of what people want to talk about, what they think about, and they're great at getting attention.
"They've taken that attention, and turned it into great [philanthropic] work around the world. And you can see the kind of impact that they have and they can have on other celebrities, which is very smart. And we're really happy with that one too."
James Crawford-Smith is Newsweek's royal reporter, based in London. You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @jrcrawfordsmith and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.
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About the writer
James Crawford-Smith is a Newsweek Royal Reporter, based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on the British royal family ... Read more
