Author Reacts To Prince Harry & Meghan Markle’s Netflix Adaptation

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle earned a co-sign from the brains behind their latest venture!

The Sussexes are no strangers to Netflix productions, and right now, their latest attempt at making another masterpiece with the streaming service is getting all the green light from the author of the book.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s chapter with Netflix began shortly after they exited the United Kingdom in 2020, subsequently striking a five-year deal with the company to create various content.

Author Carley Fortune opened up about working with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on the upcoming Netflix adaptation of her bestselling novel, “Meet Me at the Lake.” She revealed on a June 18 episode of Jenna Bush Hager’s “Open Book” podcast that the project is a brainchild of Archewell Productions and Netflix.

Stating that the project is still in development, Fortune noted that a director has been attached to the film and the script is still being revised. Fortune described collaborating with the power couple as a surreal experience that was “just so wild.” 

She added that while her team was in the early stages of securing the adaptation, there was an in-depth conversation with Meghan and Archewell executive Tracy Ryerson, stating that she felt they were truly connected with the heart of the story.

The author affirmed that their discussion went beyond romance and focused on the emotional themes woven throughout the novel, including motherhood, grief, mental health, and the deeper meaning behind love stories.

The Author Talks About The Emotional Themes In The Book

In 2023, it became public information that Harry and Meghan had earned the rights to Fortune’s second romance novel for an adaptation at Netflix. Fortune was beyond excited about the collaboration at the time, noting that Fern and Will’s story mean a great deal to her and described the partnership as a perfect fit.

According to a source, the story resonated with the Sussexes because they saw similarities between the book’s themes and aspects of their own lives. The novel captures the life of Fern and Will, two strangers who spend one unforgettable day together in Toronto and promise to reunite at a lakeside resort the following year. 

However, when Will finally returns nine years later, Fern is left wondering whether the person she once connected with still exists. Beyond the romance, the story also delves into the more profound emotional aspects, such as mental health and postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Fortune said that she has first-hand experience with postpartum OCD, which is why she included it in the book. She explained that romance novels allow readers to engage with difficult topics through stories that still offer hope and emotional payoff.

She admitted that many readers later contacted her to say that they were not aware of what they were suffering from until reading the novel. Fortune added that readers shared with her that the book gave them the confidence to speak to loved ones or seek professional help, as many of the stories in the novel have had a profound effect on their lives.

Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Reportedly Developing Afghanistan War Film At Netflix

In May, Deadline shared that the couple expanded their Netflix collection with a feature adaptation based on “No Way Out: The Searing True Story of Men Under Siege,” the bestselling military memoir by Major Adam Jowett.

The project tells the story of Easy Company, which is a unit made up of Paratroopers and Royal Irish Rangers that was deployed to Afghanistan’s Helmand province in July 2006 during the war.

Under Jowett’s command, the under-strength unit was assigned to defend the Musa Qala District Center despite being isolated and heavily outnumbered by Taliban forces.

The book is being adapted for Netflix as part of Archewell Productions’ agreement with Netflix and screenwriter Matt Charman, who has previously worked on “Oliver Twist” and “Bridge of Spies.”

The narrative traces Easy Company’s experiences as the soldiers fought through weeks of relentless attacks inside an exposed compound, all while facing the harsh realities of combat with dwindling supplies and ammunition.

Jowett’s memoir portrays both the excitement of war and the heartbreak of commanding men in impossible situations.

The book, which was published in 2019 by Pan Macmillan, has been likened to war classics like “Black Hawk Down” and “The Bridge on the River Kwai” for its emotional and high-stakes narrative.

Harry has personally experienced the deployment twice with active military service, including Helmand Province in Afghanistan, and the project holds special meaning for him.

The film will be produced by Harry and Meghan in partnership with Archewell, to be overseen by scripted content executive Tracy Ryerson.

The Couple Eyes Netflix Takeover With More Scripted And Non-Fiction Projects

PEOPLE revealed in March that Harry and Meghan’s production company is on the quest to build a broader line-up of projects that will extend beyond Netflix in the coming years.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex currently have both scripted and non-fiction content in development with multiple projects moving through different stages.

The new update comes after it was announced on March 23, 2026, that Archewell and Netflix are collaborating on a new scripted series set in the world of polo.

The project is reportedly inspired by the 2024 Netflix docuseries POLO, which is about one of Prince Harry’s longtime interests. The pair seems to still be putting money into stories related to the sport, albeit with a bit of low viewing figures on the documentary.

Archewell’s expanding list comes after a change in its deal with Netflix, which began as a one-year deal covering both films and TV, but has since been expanded to a multiple-year first-look option for both mediums. The development news comes shortly after reports of tension between the Sussexes and the streaming platform. 

However, representatives for both Netflix and the couple reportedly denied those claims. The rumor started to spread when Netflix was reported to have been taken aback by Harry and Meghan’s extensively covered Oprah interview in 2021, ahead of their 2022 documentary series “Harry & Meghan.”

Prince Harry And Meghan Markle May Make Some Lifestyle Choices Amid Alleged Financial Trouble 

As shared by The Blast a few days ago, it is being rumored that Harry and Meghan could be forced to review and reconsider their high-profile California lifestyle as discussions about long-term financial well-being begin to arise.

The former working royal may reportedly be under growing financial pressures tied to the maintenance costs of their Montecito if they get fewer gigs moving forward.

The Montecito mansion was purchased for $14 million over five years ago and has served as a haven for the royals and their kids since leaving England behind.

According to a royal commentator, Maureen Callahan, the couple have been unable to profit from the public interest invested in their royal background compared to the past few years.

Should this problem persist, Meghan and Harry might reportedly move to a much smaller property in order to save running costs.

Another drastic move on the couple’s part may be the Duchess making a surprising return to acting, as she has signed several media deals and partnerships with companies like Netflix and Spotify.

Will Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Netflix adaptation be a hit?