How Netflix finally woke up to the true cost of preachy TV
A huge financial hit forces the streaming giant to can Meghan's ultra-worthy vanity project
Spare a thought for poor Meghan. Netflix has unceremoniously dumped the Duchess of Sussex's cartoon creation, The Pearl.
It was part of a multimillion-dollar Netflix deal announced in September 2020, which was central to Harry and Meghan's plans for financial independence and was to catapult them into the league of icons such as the Obamas, confirming their arrival among California's movers and shakers.
The Pearl was Meghan's baby. Young viewers of the animated series would follow the adventures of a 12-year-old girl as she headed back in time to meet influential women from history. It would be educational, inspiring and . . . boring.
It is only a year and a half since the agreement with Harry and Meghan, but Netflix bosses have realised there isn't a huge demand for woke cartoons. Parents park their children in front of a screen for half an hour's peace. Shows that fail to hold their interest are no use to anyone.