Prince Harry’s polo documentary ‘disappoints’ Netflix bosses who expected ‘more bang for their buck’: report
Netflix bosses were left “disappointed” with Prince Harry’s latest project, a documentary into the world of polo, according to a new report.
The Duke of Sussex’s latest venture — a documentary on the equestrian sport he had been playing since he was a child — is called “POLO” and is set for a December release.
However, the streaming giant’s execs are reportedly upset that the project hardly features Harry at all, the Daily Mail reports.
Instead, the series is heavily focused on the duke’s pal Nacho Figueras, a professional polo player from Argentina.
A source told the outlet that Netflix expected to get “more bang for its buck.”
“Apart from their documentary series, which had the drama of them quitting the royal family, everything else they’ve produced has been underwhelming,” a Hollywood producer told the outlet.
“Any reasonable person tuning into a show about polo made by Prince Harry would expect Harry to take a starring role.”
“That he’s not is hugely disappointing for Netflix. Let’s face it, polo isn’t exactly a mainstream sport so the attraction would have been watching Harry. Without him, it’s marginal at best,” the insider went on.
“The Netflix deal expires next year, so the Sussexes need a big hit. This sounds like a big nothing burger.”
The source added that Netflix bosses were disappointed with the final edit of the documentary, which was executive produced by Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle.
“What Net-flix have received in return doesn’t look great. People want personal stuff,” the insider said, adding that behind the scenes the series has been nicknamed “the Nacho Show.”
“For a show about a sport of kings, polo barely features any royalty. It’s not the Harry show, it’s the Nacho show,” they added.
The Post has reached out to Netflix and Prince Harry’s reps for comment.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex signed an estimated 5-year $100 million deal with the platform in 2020.
Earlier this month, Netflix dropped a first look at the documentary.
“POLO is a new documentary series that follows elite global players and offers an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the fast-paced world of the sport,” Netflix said in a statement on X. “From Archewell Productions and Boardwalk Pictures. Premiering this December.”
The statement was accompanied by four photos from the docu-series, which showed a picture of three polo players on their horses, as well as an action shot of two athletes.
After it emerged that the father of two was working on the project in April, a statement said that the series will “provide viewers unprecedented access to the world of professional polo.”
Footage was shot primarily at the US Open Polo Championship in Florida, which ran from March 27 to April 14.