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Meghan Markle’s Netflix Series Under Fire for Alleged Idea Theft
In a developing situation linked to Meghan Markle’s Netflix series, Pearl, British author Mel Elliott has raised concerns regarding potential copyright infringement. Elliott’s book series, Pearl Power, which centers around a young girl discovering themes of equality, bears what she describes as “striking similarities” to Markle’s animated project.
Elliott, who began work on an animated adaptation of her Pearl Power series in 2019, noted that her character is depicted engaging with iconic women from history, such as Billie Jean King and Maya Angelou. In comparison, Pearl, announced by Netflix in 2021 as part of a deal with Markle and Prince Harry, tells the story of a 12-year-old girl who draws inspiration from female figures throughout history.
Expressing her disappointment, Elliott remarked, “Meghan is a feminist who supports women, so I was puzzled to see how closely Netflix’s proposed show Pearl mirrored my own creation, which had been established seven years earlier.” She emphasized that, although she cannot confirm whether Markle’s team had seen her work, the notable resemblances prompted her to take action.
In July 2021, Elliott enlisted her legal team to send a letter to Archewell Productions—Markle’s production company—expressing her concerns about potential intellectual property rights infringement. Attempts by Elliott to engage with Archewell and Netflix continued with multiple letters sent in the subsequent months, yet none received a response.
“What troubled me the most,” Elliott stated, “is that despite bringing the similarities to the attention of Netflix and Archewell, I never received any acknowledgment of my concerns. I would have appreciated an opportunity to collaborate.”
Ultimately, in May 2022, Netflix decided to cancel the Pearl project as part of broader cutbacks. Reflecting on this outcome, Elliott noted, “While I’m relieved that the show was dropped, I wish my vision for Pearl Power could have been realized and that I could have been recognized or invited to contribute.”
Initially hesitant to speak out due to concerns about backlash from Markle’s supporters, Elliott has decided to share her experience in light of other allegations against Markle. Recent complaints highlight perceived parallels between Markle’s new show, With Love, Meghan, and Pamela Anderson’s Cooking with Love series, as well as accusations about her lifestyle brand, As Ever, having similarities to a Spanish village’s coat of arms. Additionally, Markle’s podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder, reportedly has the same name as an existing YouTube series.
As discussions around intellectual property and creative originality continue to gain traction, this situation underscores the delicate balance between inspiration and infringement in the creative industry.
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