Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly lost an important ally at Netflix raising fresh questions about the future of their multimillion-dollar partnership and the Duchess of Sussex’s ambitions for an acting comeback.
The development follows the departure of Netflix executive Bela Bajaria, who had been associated with the streaming giant for nearly a decade and was described by commentators as an important supporter of the Sussexes.
Royal commentator Helena Chard believes the executive’s exit could make Meghan’s reported hopes of securing a major acting role more difficult.
“Harry and Meghan’s champion inside Netflix, Bela Bajaria, has recently left the streaming service,” experts told Fox News Digital.
Chard argued that the Duchess may now have fewer influential supporters within the company as she considers her next professional move.
“The previous safety net is gone. Unfortunately for Meghan, she may want to jump straight into a top acting role, but there is far more stacked against it happening,” she claimed.
According to Variety, Bajaria was leaving Netflix after nearly 10 years with the company, amid a wider round of changes that reportedly included around 1,000 employee layoffs.
Commentator Kinsey Schofield also questioned the state of the Sussexes’ relationship with the streaming platform, pointing to public criticism reportedly coming from people close to Meghan.
“What I find most revealing is that Meghan’s camp now appears comfortable publicly criticising Netflix,” Schofield said.
She suggested that such criticism could indicate a change in the relationship between the two sides, particularly given the importance of their original commercial partnership.
Schofield also claimed Netflix had already withdrawn its investment in Meghan’s lifestyle brand, As Ever, adding to speculation about the future of their business relationship.
Meghan previously credited Bajaria with recognising the television potential of her homemade gifts and helping bring her lifestyle programme, With Love, Meghan, to the screen.
Speaking at the TIME100 Summit, the Duchess described the executive’s role in the development of the show, making Bajaria’s departure particularly notable in discussions about her future projects.
The latest debate also follows reports that Meghan was considered for a possible role in the third season of Guy Ritchie’s Netflix drama The Gentlemen.
Sources close to the Duchess previously suggested that information about the potential casting discussions had been leaked to generate publicity for the series. A source close to the production rejected the suggestion, saying: “This is not a show in need of stunt casting.”
Harry and Meghan first signed their Netflix partnership in 2020, in a deal widely reported to be worth around $100 million, although the precise financial terms have not been publicly confirmed.
Questions have also emerged over whether Netflix will pursue a possible documentary about Princess Diana ahead of the 30th anniversary of her death in 2027.
For now, Bajaria’s departure has fuelled speculation about the Sussexes’ future with the streaming giant, but it does not establish that their partnership has ended or that Meghan’s acting ambitions have been abandoned.
