The Duke and Duchess of Sussex can turn Hollywood’s crippling walkouts by actors and writers to their advantage, a film and TV expert believes.
American director, producer and entertainment coach Paul Duddridge claims: “It will give them a much-needed chance to review their creative strategies.”
His comments come after former Paramount and 20th Century Fox CEO Barry Diller warned the strikes over streaming payments and AI could spark a “Hollywood Apocalypse” in which “the entire industry could collapse”.
They follow an announcement Harry and Meghan’s company Archewell will not be among 39 independent production firms allowed special dispensation by union leaders to complete filming current projects.
This means their plans for a first scripted TV series for Netflix – a prequel to Charles Dickens’s classic novel Great Expectations – are on indefinite hold.
But Mr Duddridge believes the strikes gives the couple “an opportunity to regroup and retool their operations”.
He said: “So far, their creative projects have received very mixed reviews.
“Harry and Meghan need to flip the narrative. They have seemingly worn out the goodwill and not set the world alight with their creative output in the US.
“They are now well-positioned to salvage their image with a critical success. They should grab this opportunity with both hands. It may be their last.”
A senior Hollywood executive added: “Their efforts will have to be as diverse as possible to continue yielding revenue streams while Archewell is forced into a hiatus.”
One immediate money-spinner could be the relaunch of Meghan’s blog The Tig, which she shut down in 2017 just before her engagement to Harry.
