Netflix’s controversial move amid Prince Harry deal

Опубликованно 05.09.2020 04:20

The streaming giant announced last month it would be streaming a special performance of Diana: A New Musical before it debuts on broadway in May next year, news which was largely welcomed by theatre and royal fans after the live show was postponed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The move follows in the footsteps of Hamilton the musical dropping on Disney+ in July, proving popular among viewers who haven’t been able to attend the theatre during quarantine.

Diana: A New Musical will be filmed for Netflix this month at a New York theatre without an audience.

But news of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex signing on with Netflix in a lucrative $150 million deal has shrouded doubt over whether or not Prince Harry will have something to say about the intimate musical to Netflix bosses.

It is understood the musical shows Diana during candid moments in bed, as well as scenes where she is self-harming and her relationship breakdown with Prince Charles.

There are also moments where the Queen is depicted using inappropriate language and referring to Diana as a “tart”.

Diana’s former bodyguard Ken Wharfe, 72, said Harry should intervene and have the “abhorrent” musical stopped from hitting the service.

“The Diana musical, soon to be premiered on Netflix, presents a huge dilemma to them both,” Wharfe said, according to The Sun.

“If the critics are to be believed, this musical story is not a joyous journey of love with a happy ending but an episodic account of untruths, scandal and sex.

“Harry loved his mother dearly and has spoken of her in such loving detail recently.

“He now has the chance, irrespective of his lucrative deal with Netflix, to stand alone from his wife and make clear his abhorrence of such a musical and call Netflix to account.

“If he were to do this, his fading popularity would be guaranteed a huge resurgence.”

Diana: A New Musical is said to feature intimate moments of Princess Diana. Picture: Tim Graham/Getty Images

Producing the musical are Tony Award-winning writers, Joe DiPietro and David Bryan, with Christopher Ashley, Kelly Devine and Ian Eisendrath directing, choreographing, and providing music supervision and arrangements, respectively.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who moved to California from the UK after stepping back as senior royals in March, have penned a multi-year contract with the streaming giant where they will make documentaries, feature films, scripted television shows and children’s series.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have just signed a deal with Netflix. Picture: Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP

They are reportedly already making their first project, an animated series targeted at women, according to the New York Times.

Meghan and Harry released a statement about their deal, saying their aim was to give a voice to diverse communities.

“Our lives, both independent of each other and as a couple, have allowed us to understand the power of the human spirit: of courage, resilience, and the need for connection,” the pair said in the joint statement.

“Through our work with diverse communities and their environments, to shining a light on people and causes around the world, our focus will be on creating content that informs but also gives hope.

“As new parents, making inspirational family programming is also important to us.”

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