There’s even more bad news for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, as Archewell production manager Bennett Levine exited the company last month, making him the third executive to leave in a short space of time.
Levine worked on the controversial Harry & Meghan docuseries, which Archewell co-produced with Netflix, and confirmed he was moving to a rival company on social media. “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position at Cinetic Media,” he said on LinkedIn. A source reportedly told the Daily Mail‘s Richard Eden that Levine heading to the American film financing and distribution company is “a blow to Archewell. There’s no doubt about that.”
Prince Harry And Meghan Markle's Recent Archewell Staff Losses
According to Variety, Oscar-nominated producer Ben Browning, who was tapped to lead content at Archewell, left at the end of 2023 after his contract expired. Fara Taylor, the company's head of marketing, also left over the course of 2023. The Daily Mail reported that Prince Harry and Meghan have now lost at least 17 staff members since they married in 2018, with at least eight leaving since they moved to California.
Archewell head of communications and global press secretary to Prince Harry and Meghan, Ashley Hansen, released a statement following the news of Browning and Taylor leaving the company.
"Ben and Fara have been integral to the creation and execution of many critically and commercially acclaimed projects during their tenure. They have expertly delivered content and campaigns that have exceeded expectations and made their mark within the cultural zeitgeist," Hansen said, according to Variety, adding: "They played a critical role in helping to tell the stories of the Duke and Duchess thus far and the couple remain hugely grateful for their support on those vital 'look back' projects, as they now look forward."
These latest departures come after Mandana Dayani, who served as president of Archewell in 2021-2022, resigned from her position in December 2022, which was reportedly a "mutually planned" move.
According to a statement from Archewell, Dayani reportedly stepped down to let the Duke and Duchess of Sussex assume full control of their company, which comprises of Archewell Audio, Archewell Productions and Archewell Foundation, after returning from parental leave following the birth of their daughter Lilibet Diana.
"Ms. Dayani has been an integral part of Archewell and we are grateful for her passion, commitment and leadership," read the statement, according to People. "Ms. Dayani was brought on during their parental leave to move the company and its projects forward. She has continued to shape its vision and future successfully."
"Her transition was mutually planned, with intent for the Duke and Duchess to now take full lead of their company. There will be no replacement for this position, and Ms. Dayani is fully supportive of the Duke and Duchess in their new leadership roles, and they remain friends," the statement added.
Rebecca Sananes, the company's head of audio and a producer of the Archetypes Spotify podcast, left her position shortly after Dayani. And in August last year, Page Six reported that Nishika Kumble, their senior vice-president of scripted television, left after working with the Sussexes for less than two years.
