Prince Harry’s latest venture, a Netflix documentary series focusing on the world of professional polo, has reportedly left the streaming giant underwhelmed. The five-part series, “POLO,” is set to premiere in December 2024 and was produced by Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, under their production company, Archewell Productions.
According to insider sources, Netflix executives expected Prince Harry to play a more prominent role in the project, which they believed would be the key draw for viewers.
The documentary, however, primarily showcases Argentinian polo player Nacho Figueras, a longtime friend of Harry, who has instead been dubbed “The Nacho Show” behind the scenes. “Any reasonable person tuning into a show about polo made by Prince Harry would expect Harry to take a starring role,” noted an insider. “That he’s not is hugely disappointing for Netflix.”
Figueras, a 47-year-old player often referred to as “the David Beckham of polo,” is featured heavily throughout the series, filmed primarily at the US Open Polo Championship in Florida earlier this year. Although he has his following in the polo world, focusing on Figueras instead of Harry has raised concerns among Netflix executives, who were banking on Harry’s star power to drive viewership. A source told the Daily Mail, “It was nice of Harry to do his mate a favor, but Nacho speaks broken English and is just not mainstream enough to pull in the ratings.”
The series was designed to spotlight polo, often called the “sport of kings,” and emphasize its global significance. However, according to insiders, despite the potential to leverage Prince Harry’s royal connection, the series fails to showcase the royal element many viewers might have anticipated.
Prince Harry’s previous Netflix projects, particularly the dramatic series chronicling his and Meghan’s departure from the British royal family, garnered significant attention. This has reportedly set a high bar for the couple’s subsequent work with the streaming platform. A Hollywood producer mentioned that aside from that documentary series, the rest of their productions have failed to impress.
The Sussexes’ five-year $100 million deal with Netflix is reportedly nearing its end, with the contract set to expire in 2025. As “POLO” struggles to meet expectations, the pressure is mounting for the couple to deliver a hit. An insider pointed out that the couple need a major success, but “POLO” seems to be shaping up as a “nothing burger.”