I’ve been curious to see how Prince Harry’s Apple+ project is going to work out, long-term. It was announced last year that Harry was teaming with Oprah Winfrey for an Apple+ series which would focus on mental health and people fighting back from dark places… with therapy, and time and understanding. Now we’re hearing that the series (which still doesn’t have a name) will air next year. Okay. Harry gave an interview this week to talk more about what the series is about:
Prince Harry is revealing new details about his upcoming series with TV icon Oprah Winfrey. In an interview with podcast host and journalist Bryony Gordon, Harry says the series — coming to Apple TV+ next year — will unveil examples of “human spirit fighting back from the darkest places.” In 2017, the Duke of Sussex sat down with Gordon and opened up about his mental health state and the trauma after his mother, Princess Diana, died 22 years ago — and how he struggled to cope with the aftermath.
Speaking with the reporter once again in the Daily Telegraph on Wednesday, the Duke said, “When I did your podcast two years ago the response made me realize what an impact sharing my story could have, and what an impact other stories can have for so many who are suffering silently… If the viewers can relate to the pain and perhaps the experience, then it could save lives, as we will focus on prevention and positive outcomes.”
Harry also revealed that he and Oprah have had many meetings and “are assembling subject matter experts” to guide the series. “The facts and science exist and we deserve to know it all,” he said.
But despite coming a long way from the years of struggle following his mother’s death, the prince admitted to Gordon that hasn’t got it all figured out and is still embarking on his own journey. “What I have learned and continue to learn in the space of mental health, mental illness and self-awareness is that all roads lead back to our mental wellbeing how we look after ourselves and each other,” he said.
I think my interest will depend on the format of the show and a million other things. While every person has their own mental health journey, some journeys are “more watchable” than others, you know what I mean? Like, do people really want to watch a series about a few people with no immediate conflicts, who are just doing the daily work of managing depression? All that being said, no, I’m still not getting Apple+. I’m also sort of worried that Harry is doing too much advance press on something that isn’t even close to being ready (cough Travalyst cough).
Oh, this reminds me – have you seen the ads for that Showtime show, Couples Therapy? That’s compelling and watchable because of the emotional conflict, yet it’s about therapy and mental health too.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red and Backgrid.
I think we should really be taking anything coming from the Sussexes and Cambridges right now as complete spin. Everyone’s doing their best to bury Pedo Andrew’s wild ride to Epstein’s Island. I’m not shocked *in the least* that we’re getting a bunch of vaguely half assed “do good” project pitches right now from all sides.
That it will focus on mental health makes me wonder if the next “story” to come out will be about the “grand reunion” of burying of the hatchet between Cambridges/Sussexes (as managed by Saint Katherine, The Right Footed) to collaborate for this Apple+ project and the vague umbrella of Mental Health. Followed promptly by some adorable photos of all the babies together on one couch.
Nah.
This project was announced last year so…no.
And if you honestly think that we will get a coming together story from these two couples then you haven’t been paying attention to what’s been goinv on between them.
I mean, this project was announced last year and he’s now trotting out…no new information about it? Because it’s still just in the brainstorming development phase.
I will absolutely take bets on a strategically timed reunion though! I still fully believe this is an issue between Harry and Will, and Kate and Meghan are perfectly content to be Co-Workers-In-Law.
@ KKC – so you haven’t been paying attention then? Got it. This has moved so beyond the original beef between William and Harry.
It was announced in April 2019, not last year.
I like Saint Catherine, the Right Footed!
I want all the Wales to stay away from mental health for a minute. They gloss over anything more difficult than “early childhood” or “talking is helpful” and while BOTH are true, there’s people whose actual lives are saved through more intense therapy and medication. People who have talked and had happy childhoods still might need more. They never mention medication as a solution which seems more dangerous than their message. They need to broaden up their approach or just stick to simple messages like “therapy is normal” and let the professionals do their work.
IMHO, “Mental Health” is too board of a topic or cause for one NGO to take up. I think the Cambridges should focus on ‘Children’s Metal Health” because Cathy is very real and very good with children.
this is still pretty vague, but it could be interesting. I do like how he is directly tying it into his own mental health struggles and what he still experiences.
I think he’s trying to help, but I also think he’s overestimating the impact he can have on other people with a tv show. I don’t think his tv show can “save” people in cases of extreme mental illness issues. When famous people talk about their work like that, I find it slightly annoying.
I also think his reaction to his mother’s death was normal. It does involve mental health, but I think ultimately his reaction of grief was, well, normal. You’re supposed to feel grief, sadness, and depression when your mother dies, especially if you’re 11 (though I also think this is allowed at ANY age). If he hadn’t felt grief, THAT would have been weird. I think reaction to a mother’s death is different from struggling with a chemical imbalance. I feel as though everything is being lumped into together as the same thing.
Oprah is involved. That means it is already polluted by the Queen of pop psychology. She is a hypocritical, charmless opportunist who got where she is by pure luck and the fact that big names like Michael Jackson previously boosted her ratings. Fast forward 2019 and she throws him under the bus by becoming complicit in the huge mega-bucks PR machine behind fraudumentary “leaving Neverland’. Not surprising that they have teamed up with her. This is a growing crowd of liberal elitists who operate under and get validation through corporate sponsorship and ‘household’ brand names.
I actually agree about the Michael Jackson part. But the moment you used the term “liberal elitists” you lost all credibility.
For a black woman to become a billionaire without marrying money in the United States of America takes more than “luck”. Hell, for any woman to do it for that matter. Like Oprah or not, she put in her dues. Nice try, but you are not bringing her down.
A black woman in America does not become a billionaire by pure luck.
I have been very depressed in my life. The thing I would have been the least interested in to get help would have been a program like this put on by mega rich people. How does he think this will save lives. Not a good idea.
Maybe for someone else it will be a good idea.
You cannot deny that Princess Diana, a “mega rich person” went a long way in taking the stigma away from people with HIV/AIDS. She also brought awareness to the land mine issue. I think her son is trying to do the same thing with mental illness.
If this show helps even just 1 person then that’s great.
Instead of a TV show, why not invest money in more inpatient treatment centers for those suffering a mental health crisis? Or outpatient centers with more staff to follow up with patients and make sure they have access to medication and therapy.
So Oprah, Harry, or Apple could be sued if something goes wrong with those places? This show is to bring about awareness, for people to tell their stories, to reduce stigma.
@VALIANTLY VARNISHED
“This has moved so beyond the original beef between William and Harry”
Please elaborate I’m really interested to read your take on this
Is Prince Harry known to change gears on a project so last minute? He’s seems to be on top of his game. Oprah is very smart and organized. Why another year? This Apple launch was scheduled for this month! It’s odd!
I’m wondering if this was put off do to William n Kate. I remember after PW Sun magazine announcement of “FAR AWAY to NEVERLAND” Kate went to the Anzac service with Harry. I believed she showed up to pull his lip about the Apple n Oprah project! I wouldn’t be surprise if BP or KP pulled the plug. They control a large percentage of the media. Also they control Hollywood! Those with the power “Cambridge” may take over Harrys project! They need to tap into Hollywood. Hollyweird is progressive. England hasn’t evolved “every time I look at those conceited fossils the descendants of colonialism, religion, wars, freemason, liars, murders, whitewashing, greedy, chaos are so out of touch. The (Great Expectation) that’s what England is to me! Those farts changed the narrative of this planet from good to bad! The monarchy is done. The Sussex has proven to the melanin race how much they hate us. Three years sisters had to see and hear every bullshit stereotype. Consciously or not Harry has made it clear these people will never like or tolerate the black race. Yet not one sister or brother has come out and blast these SOBs. Europeans have the most disgusting history on this planet. Their soulless bastards! Their all parasites that 90%! World is ending and those roaches ain’t trying to help their non black people! Shits blacks know the doors is closed on us! But the other races; rude ass awakening!