Prince Archie Inspired Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s New Netflix Project

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry became familiar with the subject of one their upcoming Netflix projects through videos they watched with their son, Prince Archie.

It was revealed on Aug. 11 that Archewell Productions, the couple’s media hub, will spotlight the Ugandan dance troupe in a new documentary titled Masaka Kids, A Rhythm Within, marking another step in their newly announced multi-year, first-look deal with Netflix.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, parents to Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4, reportedly discovered the Masaka Kids dance troupe — made up of Ugandan children, many of whom are orphaned — by watching their viral videos with Archie during lockdown amid the COVID pandemic.

“They would watch the videos regularly with Archie at home. So, they were already admirers of the organization before the film project came to them in 2023,” a spokesman for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex told The Telegraph on Aug. 16.

“In the heart of Uganda’s Masaka region, where the shadows of the HIV/AIDS crisis linger, a small orphanage becomes a beacon of hope,” the logline reads

“Masaka Kids, A Rhythm Within goes beyond the viral videos to reveal a vibrant, one-of-a-kind community where orphaned children transform hardship into joy, dancing their way toward healing, belonging, and the promise of a brighter future,” it adds. 

According to the Telegraph, Prince Harry, 40, and Meghan, 44, were not involved in the filming of Masaka Kids, A Rhythm Within and were not thought to have traveled to Uganda. 

“When the Duke and Duchess were made aware of the short, they quickly recognised the kids from their viral videos and fell in love with their deeper stories,” their spokesman told the outlet about the program directed by David Vieira Lopez and Moses Bwayo. “Archewell Productions then partnered with seasoned producer Geeta Gandbhir to harness the film’s style and tone and ultimately finish the film as you see it today.”

Last week, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced with Netflix that they are extending their creative partnership with the streamer with a multi-year, first-look deal for film and television projects.

“We’re proud to extend our partnership with Netflix and expand our work together to include the As ever brand,” Meghan said in a statement. “My husband and I feel inspired by our partners who work closely with us and our Archewell Productions team to create thoughtful content across genres that resonates globally, and celebrates our shared vision.”

The update came following a report by The Sun in July that the couple’s reported $100 million deal with Netflix would not be renewed when it expires in September. 

At the time, a Hollywood insider told PEOPLE the decision was indicative of a broader shift in Netflix’s business strategy. The streamer has been shifting away from multi-project agreements and similarly transitioned to a first-look deal with former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground production company.

The Aug. 11 announcement that unveiled the Masaka Kids, A Rhythm Within documentary  also revealed its other upcoming projects include a romance feature of Meet Me at the Lake, the confirmation that season 2 of With Love, Meghan would debut later in August and that a holiday episode titled With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration will premiere in December.

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the Duchess of Sussex opened about what it was like for Prince Harry and their children to visit her on the set of With Love, Meghan, and the special role that Prince Archie played there.

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“Archie did the [filming clapboard]! Sweet moments,” Meghan said. “They would also come with my husband and visit me on-set, and I loved that my children were able to watch me working and see the balance of that and understand what Mama does and is working to create and share. It was really special because up until then, they hadn’t seen me at work.”

“I hope that when they get old enough, they feel really proud that they were part of the beginning of this with me,” she added.