© Reuters. Meghan Markle appears on stage during the Global Citizen Live 2021 concert at Central Park in New York, U.S., September 25, 2021. REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs
By Maria Ponezhath
(Reuters) – Streaming platform Netflix Inc (NASDAQ:) said on Sunday it had decided to stop work on Meghan Markle’s family series “Pearl” as it reviewed animated content.
The abandonment of several projects, including Markle’s, was part of strategic decisions about producing animated series, the company said in a statement, without providing further details on its decision.
Archewell Productions, the company formed by Markle and her husband Prince Harry, said last year it would executive produce “Pearl.” The series was to center on the adventures of a 12-year-old girl inspired by influential women in history.
The couple are officially known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Archewell did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Netflix has also decided not to move forward with the two animated children’s series “Dino Daycare” and “Boons and Curses”.
The decision to cancel these shows comes after Netflix reported a loss of 200,000 subscribers in the first quarter, well below its forecast to add 2.5 million.
Last year, Netflix extended an animated film deal with Comcast subsidiary (NASDAQ:) Universal Pictures, a move that was expected to help Netflix retain child viewers.
Netflix said Sunday it would continue to work on projects with Archewell, including the previously announced documentary series “Heart of Invictus.” This will focus on athletes participating in the Invictus Games for Injured Veterans in The Hague in 2022.
Netflix did not respond to the question of whether it would remove more anime shows.