Prince Harry and Meghan Markle face fresh financial blow as Netflix projects 'stall'

The departure of nonfiction head Chanel Pysnik adds to a growing roster of top executives who have left Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's company in recent years.

Pysnik was one of the first hires at Archewell Productions in 2020.

She spearheaded the strategic framework for the company’s unscripted endeavors.

Her credits include the 2022 Netflix docuseries “Harry & Meghan,” “Heart of Invictus,” “Polo,” “Live to Lead,” and Meghan’s lifestyle series “With Love, Meghan.”

She also worked on “Cookie Queens,” Archewell Productions’ first feature documentary, which premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex released a statement praising her work.

“She brought not only her expertise into the process, but also led with her heart in telling beautiful stories,” they said.

“Many successful productions later, her impact and legacy at Archewell is to be celebrated.”

Pysnik herself described her tenure as a significant chapter in her professional career.

“It has been an honor to build Archewell Productions alongside Harry and Meghan for nearly six years,” she told Deadline.

“Together, we have produced work that has broken records, earned awards, and screened at prestigious film festivals, while reaching audiences around the world and contributing to important cultural conversations,” she added.

She said she was “incredibly proud of what we have accomplished, both creatively and commercially, and of the company we have built.”

She also thanked the Sussexes for trusting her leadership during a defining period for the production company.

Before joining Archewell, Pysnik held nonfiction executive roles at Disney+ and CNN.

Her previous credits included acclaimed programs such as “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown” and “United Shades of America.”

Pysnik is not the first senior figure to leave Archewell.

Ben Browning, the former head of content, departed earlier.

Fara Taylor, the marketing chief, also left.

Mandana Dayani, who served as president, exited the company.

Rebecca Sananes, the audio boss, left as well.

Bennett Levine, the production manager, is another name on the list.

Page Six reported that these departures have occurred over recent years.

The exits come at a time when Archewell’s flagship film projects appear to be stalled.

Reports indicate that “Meet Me At The Lake” and “The Wedding Date” have been stuck in development for months.

“Meet Me At The Lake” is based on Carley Fortune’s bestselling book.

It has reportedly been in development since August 2023.

The film is believed to have an attached director whose identity remains under wraps.

“The Wedding Date,” based on Jasmine Guillory’s novel, has been in development since 2025.

A source told Page Six that the lack of progress is simply how Hollywood works.

“Things are not made in a day,” the industry insider said.

They explained that adaptations take time, especially as producers work with book writers on the script.

Another source claimed that the projects have not shown any clear progress since March.

The couple’s untitled scripted polo drama also has not received any update.

Harry is reportedly working on a documentary about Princess Diana ahead of her 30th death anniversary.

Netflix’s potential involvement in that film remains unclear.

Netflix itself has undergone a leadership shake-up.

Content chief Bela Bajaria and film boss Dan Lin were both fired.

Peter Rice has taken over content operations.

Rice is British, and his equation with the Sussexes reportedly remains unknown.

However, a source claimed that Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos is “still 100 percent behind” the duo.

This comes despite Netflix canceling Meghan’s cookery program “With Love, Meghan” after two seasons in March.

The streaming platform also reportedly cut ties with Meghan’s As Ever brand.

Meghan’s upcoming television venture, “Junior MasterChef Australia,” has no connection to Netflix.

Archewell maintains an ongoing agreement with the streaming service to date.

Page Six reported last month that Archewell Productions was downsizing.

Following Pysnik’s exit, Nishika Kumble, senior vice president of scripted television, remains a key executive in the company.