Netflix cancels Meghan Markle's animated series
'Pearl' amid cutbacks: David Furnish was expected to produce the show believed
to be about her own childhood
Netflix has canceled Pearl, Meghan Markle's animated
series
The project is one of several children's shows
recently scrapped by the streamer
Pearl, one of Archewell Productions' projects, was
only in the development stage
Insiders claim Netflix still remains optimistic about
Archewell deal
The streamer has planned a number of projects with the
couple including their documentary series Heart of Invictus, which follows the
recent Invictus Games
By NATASHA
ANDERSON and STEPHEN M. LEPORE FOR
DAILYMAIL.COM
PUBLISHED:
18:34, 1 May 2022 | UPDATED: 20:15, 1 May 2022
Netflix has
dropped Meghan Markle's animated series as part of a wave of cutbacks prompted
by the streaming service's drop in subscribers.
Pearl, the
working title for the Markle-created show, has been officially canceled,
Deadline reported Sunday.
The show,
which was created by the Duchess of Sussex through Archewell Productions, was
still only in the development stage.
Markle and
Prince Harry established Archewell Productions in autumn 2020 in an effort to
create scripted series, docuseries, documentaries, features and children’s
programming. Pearl was expected to be the first animated series created by the
production company.
Despite
dropping Pearl, insiders claim Netflix remains optimistic about the Archewell
deal and has a number of projects planned, including a documentary series
called Heart of Invictus, which follows the recent Invictus Games.
Netflix has
dropped Meghan Markle's animated series as part of a wave of cutbacks prompted
by the streaming service's drop in subscribers. Markle and Prince Harry are
pictured at a track and field event at the Invictus Games in The Hague,
Netherlands on April 17, 2022
Netflix has
made several cuts in recent days, including dropping two other children's shows
and firing staff.
Last week,
the streaming service scratched Dino Daycare, which was created by Jeff King,
and the South Asian-inspired adventure Boons and Curses. Both shows were
already in production.
Sources
familiar with the cancellations told Deadline that Netflix had warned producers
to take projects still in the development stage elsewhere.
It is
unclear if they offered Archewell Productions similar advice.
The
streaming giant shelled out a $100million in the deal with the Duke and Duchess
of Sussex in September 2020.
As of yet,
the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are yet to produce any published content for the
streaming giant. But the company has pinned hopes that their upcoming series
documenting the recent Invictus Games will prove value for the money.
The show,
which was created by the Duchess of Sussex through Archewell Productions, was
still only in the development stage. Insiders allege the streamer still has a
number of projects planned with the couple (Pictured: Netflix headquarters in
Los Angeles, California)
The show,
which was created by the Duchess of Sussex through Archewell Productions, was
still only in the development stage. Insiders allege the streamer still has a
number of projects planned with the couple (Pictured: Netflix headquarters in
Los Angeles, California)
Markle
announced the now-canceled program last July. She was taking on the roles of
'creator and executive producer' - marking the first time the former actress
and Suits star would work in the position of EP.
Filmmaker
David Furnish, husband to musician Elton John, was also expected to serve as an
executive producer on the series.
Markle said
Pearl would 'weave together fantasy and history' while focusing 'on the
adventures of a 12-year-old girl' as she attempts to 'overcome life's daily
challenges'.
While few
details had been released about the series, many believed the show was based -
at least in part - on Markle's own childhood, citing how she named the show and
its title character Pearl, the origin meaning of her name.
The name
Meghan originated in Wales, where it is traditionally spelled Megan, however,
it originally came from the Greek name Margaret, derived from the word
margaritēs, which translates to 'pearl'.
Pearl was
not the first time that Markle has seemingly chosen to draw on her own life as
the inspiration for her professional projects - something that she did most
recently with her debut children's book The Bench, which was firmly panned by
readers on both sides of the Atlantic.
Many
believed Pearl was based - at least in part - on Markle's own childhood. Markle
and Prince Harry are pictured at the Invictus Games opening ceremony in the
Netherlands on April 16
Many
believed Pearl was based - at least in part - on Markle's own childhood. Markle
and Prince Harry are pictured at the Invictus Games opening ceremony in the
Netherlands on April 16
Upon news
that it had shed 200,000 subscribers, its shares plunged by 25%. So far this
year, its shares are down about 40%, after markets jolted in January when it
said that subscriber growth would slow significantly in 2022
Upon news
that it had shed 200,000 subscribers, its shares plunged by 25%. So far this
year, its shares are down about 40%, after markets jolted in January when it
said that subscriber growth would slow significantly in 2022
Netflix
also began firing staff after missing its subscriber target by 200,000 people
and watching the value of its shares tank by 50 percent in a month.
The company
made the layoffs at Tudum, a website filled with stories that are meant to
market Netflix's programs, it was revealed on Thursday. At least 10-15 staff
tweeted about being fired, although the exact number dismissed remains
unclear.
The site,
named as an onomatopoeia for the sound you hear when a Netflix show begins, was
meant to allow subscribers insider access to the company's shows.
Netflix
refused to tell the Los Angeles Times how many jobs were cut, merely
saying 'our fan website Tudum is an
important priority for the company.'
Some of
those laid off took to Twitter, saying that the company had only hired them
months earlier.
Netflix
slashes staff after its share price cratered by 50%...
There have
been several hypotheses for why the streamer is losing eyeballs, with many
including Tesla CEO (and potential future Twitter chief) Elon Musk blaming 'the
woke mind virus.'
Responding
to a tweet about the subscription service's devastating performance, Musk said:
'The woke mind virus is making Netflix unwatchable.'
A follower
then responded: 'Woke mind virus is the biggest threat to the civilization.'
The world's
richest man replied to him: 'Yes.'
Fans
applauded Musk's comments with some even urging him to take over Netflix after
he concludes his Twitter deal.
Others,
however, have suggested that the real problem is Netflix's habit of canceling
beloved shows before their time, angering fans.
Popular TV
dramas like The OA, Marco Polo, and The Punisher are being cancelled by the
service after series two - leaving fans furious and threatening to cancel their
subscriptions because they no longer want to 'invest their time in a series'
over fears it will be 'culled'.
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