Spare mini-series could be global ratings hit despite family tensions, source claims

Prince Harry is being offered "tens of millions" of dollars to turn his controversial memoir Spare into a three-part TV drama series, a top Hollywood executive has revealed. He would be given "carte blanche" by bosses at streaming giant Netflix to oversee editing of all scenes and omit incendiary subjects that have enraged the Royal Family.

"His company Archewell Productions would have almost total control over everything - and they accept that giving him carte blanche is the only way he would ever agree to any kind of deal," our senior production source confirmed. There have been informal discussions and I know Harry and Meghan are both aware there are tens of millions of dollars to be earned if he executive produces the adaptation of his own memoir."

So far the Duke of Sussex has earned an estimated £20.5million from Spare's publisher Penguin Random House, who would be entitled to a share of film rights to the book. The real money would, however, come from a production deal with Netflix - who are also the couple's commercial partners in sales of As Ever merchandise - based on viewing figures.

The source said: "A mini-series based on Spare would be a ratings sensation around the world - even if Harry glosses over some of the sections that have landed him in trouble with his relatives." Harry & Meghan, the couple's 2022 six-part docu-series, still holds the record for the biggest-ever debut of a Netflix documentary, with an astonishing 81.6 million hours watched in 28.7 million households over the first four days in the UK alone.

The source added: "Everyone can see Harry is still at odds with his brother, Prince William, while his father, King Charles, continues to undergo treatment for cancer.

"It's a difficult time for everyone in the family - but Harry's being invited to try to bring Spare to the screen in a way that doesn't make anything worse."

Details of Harry's golden new Hollywood opportunity come as former Suits actress Meghan is back on set for the first time in more than eight years after landing a small cameo role as herself in new Amazon / MGM comedy film Close Personal Friends.

The Duchess of Sussex is thought to have been paid only a "modest fee" for her walk-on part alongside the big-budget movie stars Lily Collins, Brie Larson, Jack Quaid and Henry Golding.