'Embarrassed' Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Reportedly 'Desperate' for Hit as Netflix Rom-Com Becomes Make-or-Break

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly entering a 'make-or-break' chapter of their Hollywood careers as they pin their hopes on a high-stakes Netflix romantic comedy.

Following a bruising period of professional setbacks, including the cancellation of several podcasts and the reported axing of the Duchess's lifestyle series, the couple is set to produce an adaptation of Jasmine Guillory's bestseller, The Wedding Date.

With their $100 million deal recently downgraded to a first-look agreement, insiders told RadarOnline.com that this project is a desperate attempt to salvage their brand and prove they can deliver a mainstream hit.

A Departure Into Romance: The Make-Or-Break Project

The news of the project, which broke in mid-December 2025, couldn't have come at a more critical juncture. For the 44-year-old Duchess of Sussex, the last few years have been a cycle of rebrands and cancellations.

Her inaugural podcast, Archetypes, was axed after just one season, while its successor, Confessions of a Female Founder, quietly slipped into a hiatus in June. Adding to the pressure, reports have surfaced that her Netflix lifestyle show, With Love, Meghan, will not be returning for a third season following lackluster viewership.

Insiders suggest that the shift towards a light-hearted romantic comedy is a strategic retreat from the weightier content the couple has previously produced. To ensure the project has the best possible chance of success, they have enlisted Hollywood heavyweight Tracy Oliver, the writer behind the 2017 box office smash Girls Trip, to pen the screenplay.

'This is a make-or-break moment,' a source close to the production reveals. 'Quite simply, this has to work out, or Meghan will be back at the drawing board, and that's putting it politely.' While Meghan publicly maintains a positive outlook, privately, the atmosphere is said to be one of quiet panic.

The Public Pivot: Balancing Cringe And Confidence

The urgency for a hit is compounded by a series of recent public relations stumbles. Prince Harry's December appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert which featured a reenactment of a viral Great British Bake Off meme, was described by some critics as 'cringeworthy' and an 'embarrassment'.

Similarly, Meghan's holiday lifestyle special was met with a chorus of eye-rolls from viewers who found her punning tips more lackluster than luxurious.

There are also persistent whispers about Meghan's management style, with some within Netflix allegedly concerned that her reputation for being 'controlling' could stifle the creative process of The Wedding Date.

To turn the tide of public opinion, the source suggests Meghan must adopt a more 'down-to-earth' persona, especially as she navigates the competitive casting process for the new film.

However, if The Wedding Date delivers the elusive blockbuster the couple needs, Meghan reportedly has even grander designs. She is said to be eyeing a no-holds-barred biopic of her love story with Harry, a project she believes could generate 'serious coin' and finally shift the narrative in their favour.

While such a film would undoubtedly send shockwaves through the royal family, Meghan is reportedly undeterred by the potential for further backlash. For now, however, everything hinges on whether she can turn a 'fake date' on screen into a very real success in the boardroom.