Author Carley Fortune Gives Update on Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Netflix Adaptation of Her Book

**Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Set to Adapt “Meet Me at the Lake” for Film**

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are gearing up to produce a film adaptation of Carley Fortune’s novel, *Meet Me at the Lake*, under their production company, Archewell Productions. During a recent discussion with Jenna Bush Hager on NBC’s *Open Book*, Fortune revealed exciting updates about the adaptation, including the involvement of a director and ongoing script revisions.

Fortune announced in August 2023 that the rights to her book had been secured by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The novel follows two characters, Will and Fern, who embark on a transformative day-long adventure that results in lasting consequences. According to Fortune, her conversation with Markle and Archewell’s film producer, Tracy Ryerson, was pivotal in her decision to collaborate with them. She felt their vision resonated closely with the themes present in her story.

“I felt like they really understood the story and what mattered about the story,” Fortune commented. The author emphasised that while *Meet Me at the Lake* is fundamentally a romance, it also delves into aspects of motherhood, grief, and mental health. These are themes that particularly align with the Sussexes’ advocacy for mental health initiatives.

Fortune shared that she incorporates significant topics such as post-partum obsessive-compulsive disorder into her writing, which she believes resonates with readers. “What I have found through books is I can weave in things that are really important to me, and people engage with them because they are reading this romance,” she explained. “They know it’s going to have a happy ending, but they are learning about mental health.”

Book fans have noted striking parallels between the story and the couple’s real-life experiences. The narrative is set in Toronto, the city where Markle lived while working on the series *Suits* prior to her marriage to Prince Harry in 2018. Additionally, a character within the story has faced similar challenges as those that the Sussexes have overcome in their personal lives, including the loss of a parent in a car accident and struggles with substance abuse.

Upon the announcement of the adaptation, Fortune expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “I’m so thrilled about working with Netflix and Archewell to bring *Meet Me at the Lake* to the screen. Will and Fern’s love story is dear to my heart, and I can’t imagine a more perfect partnership.”

While the casting details remain under wraps, fans have taken to social media platforms like TikTok to suggest potential actors for the roles of Will and Fern. Names such as Ben Barnes and Logan Lerman for Will, alongside Phoebe Dynevor, Lucy Hale, and Sarah Hyland for Fern, have surfaced as hopeful contenders.

Despite the evident excitement surrounding the project, Fortune gently brushed aside suggestions of forging a close friendship with the royal couple. When teased about potentially spending weekends with Harry and Meghan, she laughed and convincingly replied, “No, I am not hanging out with Harry and Meghan on weekends.”

As work continues on this adaptation, there remains an air of anticipation among both readers and fans of the royal couple. The intersection of this poignant love story with the Sussexes’ unique journey adds another layer of intrigue to what promises to be a heartfelt film. Fortune’s dedication to authentically representing complex issues in a romantic narrative may resonate deeply with audiences, shedding light on subjects close to her heart that Harry and Meghan also deeply value.

With their shared commitment to fostering conversations around mental health and personal growth, this collaborative effort stands to evoke genuine emotion, encouraging viewers to not only indulge in a romantic tale but to also reflect on the substantial themes interwoven within. As updates continue to emerge from Archewell Productions, the excitement for *Meet Me at the Lake* is likely to grow, culminating in a film that could touch the hearts of many.