Meghan Markle and Prince Harry accused of 'ripping off' idea for new Netflix project

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been accused of ripping off their latest idea for Netflix.

PA
Svar Nanan-Sen

By Svar Nanan-Sen


Published: 28/06/2023

- 13:58

Updated: 28/06/2023

- 13:59

The couple are looking to bounce back after Spotify dropped them earlier this month.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been accused of ripping off their latest idea for a Netflix project.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are working on a new project for Netflix titled Bad Manners.


The couple are looking to bounce back after Spotify dropped them earlier this month.

The Sussexes are working on a new show inspired by Charles Dickens' Great Expectations.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry

The Sussexes are working on a new show inspired by Charles Dickens' Great Expectations.

PA

Harry and Meghan are developing the show based on a feminist version of Miss Havisham from Dickens' famous novel according to the Wall Street Journal.

However, the Sussexes' "feminist" prequel is almost identical to an adaptation made a decade ago, it has been claimed.

Several adaptations have already focused on Miss Havisham's character.

Most recently, award-winning actress Olivia Coleman played Miss Havisham in a 2023 series.

Dr Emily Bell, an English professor and editor of The Dickensian told the Mail: "It’s not necessarily feminist to rehash Miss Havisham's life, and I'd be very concerned this adaptation would fall into the trap of thinking a focus on this iconic character is inherently feminist – or somehow it's doing more than Dickens in fleshing out a backstory that engages the viewer in the same voyeuristic misery again."

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams also issued a damning assessment of the couple's mooted next move with Netflix.

Fitzwilliams said: "It is one thing for Meghan to narrate Elephant for Disney, another to take on Dickens!

"Meghan's animated series, Pearl, was cancelled by Netflix and Spotify were far from pleased with Archetypes.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams has issued a damning assessment of the couple's mooted next move with Netflix.

PA

"Harry's documentary, Heart of Invictus is reportedly due out soon - but it's reasonable to ask why have they done so little despite their high profile and expectations that their brand would have huge international appeal.

"Harry's judgement about what to include in his memoir, Spare, was badly flawed too."

He told the Mail Online: "Surely Meghan's new agent is able to arrange more work for them?

"Hollywood dislikes failure. Many are asking how talented they really are."

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