Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have suffered a major blow as their Polo documentary failed to make Netflix’s Top 10 in the UK, the US, and globally.
It comes as the future of the Sussexes’ Netflix deal, set to end in 2025, appears increasingly uncertain.
The five-episode series, which dropped on Netflix on December 10, received criticism from fans as the Californian-based royals only appear in the opening sequence and the final episode.
The royal’s on-screen involvement is confined to a charity polo tournament, the Royal Salute Polo Challenge in Wellington, Florida, which raised money for Harry’s charity Sentebale.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s suffered a major blow as their Polo documentary failed to make Netflix Top 10
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Spy thriller Black Doves topped the global list with 14.6 million views, ahead of Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was… with 8.2 million and No Good Deed with six million.
Polo, which focuses on “fierce rivalries” and “intense training”, was somewhere behind Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey in 10th place with 1.8 million views.
The Californian-based royals were credited as executive producers in the show’s credits.
Meghan and Prince Harry, who stepped back from working duties in 2020, signed a five-year £80million Netflix deal which is set to expire in 2025.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry signed a five year Netflix deal which is set to expire in 2025
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The pair experienced great success when they launched their debut series, Harry & Meghan, which broke Netflix records.
The Polo show chose not to invest in a poster campaign, releasing only a trailer on YouTube that the Duke or Duchess of Sussex did not feature.
Prince Harry said: “This series offers audiences an unprecedented, behind-the-scenes look into the passion and determination driving some of the world’s elite polo players, revealing the grit behind the glamour.”
“We’re proud to showcase the true depth and spirit of the sport – and the intensity of its high-stakes moments.”
Harry and Meghan were credited as executive producers in the show’s creditsNetflixLATEST ROYAL NEWS:
The Guardian gave the show a two-star review, describing the series as Prince Harry’s “unintentionally hilarious profile of the world’s stupidest sport.”
Stuart Heritage added: “Fixtures are chosen by popping confetti-filled balloons, obnoxiously privileged players weep in darkened rooms when they lose … this documentary about the royal’s hobby is like a spoof.”
The Times said Prince Harry “made a TV show only he would watch,” describing it as “tedious” and “utterly unrelatable.”
The documentary received a 27 per cent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.