Chanel Pysnik has announced her departure from Archewell Productions, the media company established by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, after more than five years in her role as Head of Nonfiction, Film & TV. This move marks a significant transition for the Sussexes, who released a heartfelt statement to explain Pysnik’s lasting impact on their organisation.
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In a joint statement, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle expressed their gratitude to Pysnik, saying, “Chanel was one of our very first hires at Archewell Productions and spearheaded the strategic framework for our unscripted endeavours.” They praised her ability to blend expertise with heartfelt storytelling, highlighting her contributions to various successful projects over the years. The couple added, “Many successful productions later, her impact and legacy at Archewell is to be celebrated.”
Pysnik joined Archewell Productions shortly after its establishment in 2020 and played a key role in securing a partnership with Netflix. During her tenure, she was pivotal in producing several notable projects, including the acclaimed 2022 documentary series *Harry & Meghan*, which became Netflix’s most-watched documentary premiere. Her portfolio also includes major projects such as *Heart of Invictus*, *Polo*, *Live to Lead*, and the Duchess of Sussex’s lifestyle series *With Love, Meghan*. Most recently, she worked on *Cookie Queens*, Archewell’s inaugural feature documentary, which debuted at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.
While Archewell Productions has not announced a replacement for Pysnik, her departure follows a period of transition within the wider Archewell organisation. Late last year, the Sussexes made headlines when three staff members were let go from Archewell Philanthropies as part of a restructuring effort. A spokesperson for the couple confirmed at the time that this shift resulted in some redundancies, particularly among junior administrative positions.
Archewell Foundation, now known as Archewell Philanthropies, was launched shortly after Prince Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties in 2020. Its mission revolves around humanitarian efforts aimed at “showing up, doing good” in various communities. The media counterpart, Archewell Productions, was formulated to serve as a for-profit entity, focusing on delivering impactful storytelling across various platforms.
The couple’s original partnership with Netflix reportedly embodied a $100 million deal, which came into effect in 2020. However, this collaboration underwent significant changes last July when it was announced that the agreement would not be renewed, attributed to a strategic pivot within Netflix’s business model. An insider mentioned to PEOPLE that the change mirrored a broader trend at Netflix, which has shifted its focus away from multi-project agreements to first-look deals similar to that of the Obamas’ Higher Ground production company.
In her remarks at Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Summit in Washington, D.C. last year, Meghan spoke on the evolution of their partnership with Netflix. She noted, “My husband and I were in an overall deal with Netflix… once that had come to its term, the extension of it… was now being in a first-look deal.” She expressed excitement about the new arrangement, which allows for greater flexibility and opportunity to explore content that may not fit Netflix’s model.
The impact of Pysnik’s departure remains to be seen as Archewell Productions continues to redefine its strategy in the entertainment landscape. Her contributions to the company, particularly in the realm of unscripted programming, have left a significant mark that the Sussexes are keen to celebrate as she ventures into new opportunities.
The media company founded by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is navigating a period of transition, not only in terms of personnel but also in how it approaches its partnerships and content production. As the couple continues to develop their brand in Hollywood, the departure of key personnel like Pysnik underscores the challenges and transformations that often accompany such high-profile ventures. The path ahead for Archewell Productions is poised to adapt as they seek to identify new collaborators and revisit their strategic vision in the ever-evolving entertainment industry.
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