Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Bring Polo Drama to Netflix with Francisca X. Hu and Fake Empire

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Develop Polo-Themed Drama for Netflix

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are expanding their creative portfolio with a new scripted drama centered on the world of polo, following the release of their 2024 Netflix docuseries, Polo. The couple will serve as executive producers under their agreement with the streaming giant, which is being developed through their Archewell Productions and in collaboration with Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage’s Fake Empire.

The upcoming, untitled project, penned by Francisca X. Hu, known for Peacock’s Teacup, is described as an upstairs-downstairs drama set in the affluent equestrian hub of Wellington, Florida. It will explore the complicated relationships between two rival polo teams and the families that lead them.

Hu joins the production team as an executive producer alongside Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex; Meghan, Duchess of Sussex; Tracy Ryerson, head of scripted content at Archewell; and Schwartz and Savage from Fake Empire.

The polo drama is a natural extension of the earlier docuseries, which illuminated the competitive landscape of the U.S. Open Polo Championship in Wellington and the influential families involved. Prince Harry, an enthusiastic polo player with deep ties to the sport, has expressed a strong passion for this project. Despite Polo garnering limited viewership and concluding after one season, the scripted show aims to broaden the narrative surrounding this so-called “sport of kings,” highlighting more than just the affluent players and owners.

This new drama is among several projects under development by the Sussexes at Netflix, following a shift from an overall deal to a first-look agreement.

The announcement comes amid increased scrutiny after Netflix recently opted out as an investor in Markle’s lifestyle brand, As Ever. The docuseries With Love, Meghan, intended as a promotional vehicle for the brand, did not advance beyond its initial two-season order.

So far, Prince Harry and Markle’s most acclaimed project with Netflix remains their first collaboration, the 2022 docuseries Harry & Meghan, which debuted as the platform’s most-watched docuseries.

This project also marks a reunion for Hu with Schwartz and Savage, as she previously contributed as a writer-producer to their CW drama series Dynasty.