Critics responded positively to Prince Harry‘s Heart of Invictus docuseries when it was released in August last year, but it doesn’t appear to have won fans among Hollywood’s industry elite.
The five-part Netflix docuseries following the stories of six veterans as they prepared to compete in Harry’s 2022 Invictus Games was not included among the nominees announced for the 76th Emmy Awards on Tuesday. The show missed out in a number of categories including “Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series,” which did count David and Victoria Beckham’s eponymous Netflix show among its nominees.
The consideration period for the Emmys spanned from June 1, 2023 to May 31, 2024. Heart of Invictus was released globally through Netflix on August 30, 2023.
NETFLIX/Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Newsweek approached representatives of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle via email for comment.
Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, have made increasing strides in their post-royal careers as entertainment industry creatives since 2020, when they signed a production deal with Netflix.
In 2022, the couple released their first docuseries for the streaming giant titled Harry & Meghan. This bombshell show dominated in terms of international press coverage and viewing numbers but failed to secure the couple recognition from their Hollywood peers.
Their second show, Live to Lead, featuring interviews with high-profile public figures, failed to make a similar audience impact and went almost under the radar as it was released just weeks after Harry & Meghan.
The couple’s third show, Heart of Invictus, which focused on the veterans project for which Harry has received international acclaim, had the potential then for the couple to secure their seats (and that of their Archewell Productions company) at the table of Hollywood’s key players.
The couple are working on two further documentary projects; one focused on the world of international polo and the other on Meghan’s love of entertaining.
While the Emmy snub may come as a disappointment, entertainment expert and founder of MarkMeets, Mark Boardman, told Newsweek that critics shouldn’t rule Harry and Meghan out.
“While Heart of Invictus, prominently featuring Prince Harry—who may be disappointed by the latest Emmys snub—received praise for its poignant storytelling and emotional depth, it did not break into Netflix’s top 10 list upon its release,” Boardman said.
“This may have affected its visibility and overall impact during the voting process. The 2024 Emmy nominations typically reflect a combination of viewership, critical response, and cultural impact, areas where Heart of Invictus may have faced challenges compared to its competitors with more compelling storylines.”
NETFLIX
“While it’s disappointing not to see the show among this year’s nominees,” he added. “It is a reminder of the stiff competition and the rigorous assessment criteria influencing these decisions.
“The quality of the show and the positive feedback it received are promising signs for Archewell Productions’ future endeavors; whether the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are in the limelight of each series or not, the influence will remain output-driven as they focus on family and other brands.”
James Crawford-Smith is Newsweek‘s royal reporter, based in London. You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @jrcrawfordsmith and read his stories on Newsweek‘s The Royals Facebook page.
Do you have a question about King Charles III and Queen Camilla, William and Princess Kate, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We’d love to hear from you.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
