Archewell Productions, in partnership with The Invictus Games Foundation, today announced its first Netflix series. Heart of Invictus, from the OscarⓇ-winning team of director Orlando von Einsiedel and producer Joanna Natasegara (The White Helmets, Virunga, Evelyn), will follow a group of extraordinary competitors from around the globe, all service members who have suffered life-changing injuries or illnesses on their road to the Invictus Games The Hague 2020, now set to take place in 2022.
The multi-episode series will join the competitors as they train, and along the way reveal powerful stories of resilience and hope. The series will also follow the organizers as they work to prepare for the Games, postponed until next Spring, and as they partner with each nation’s team to support their competitors over the coming year.
“Since the very first Invictus Games back in 2014, we knew that each competitor would contribute in their own exceptional way to a mosaic of resilience, determination, and resolve. This series will give communities around the world a window into the moving and uplifting stories of these competitors on their path to the Netherlands next year. As Archewell Productions’ first series with Netflix, in partnership with the Invictus Games Foundation, I couldn’t be more excited for the journey ahead or prouder of the Invictus community for continuously inspiring global healing, human potential and continued service,” said Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, Co-Founder of Archewell Productions and Patron of The Invictus Games Foundation.
From our partners:
Dominic Reid, Chief Executive of the Invictus Games Foundation, said: “We’re very excited about the opportunity to shine the global spotlight of Netflix on the men and women that we work with, in order to ensure that even more people can be inspired by their determination and fortitude in working towards their recovery. This partnership will also bring in significant funding to the charity. We are extremely grateful to our Founding Patron for his continued efforts to support the military community, and for making this partnership happen.”
“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Archewell Productions team are building an ambitious slate that reflects the values and causes they hold dear. From the moment I met them, it’s been clear that the Invictus Games hold a very special place in their hearts, and I couldn’t be happier that their first series for Netflix will showcase that for the world in a way never seen before,” said Ted Sarandos, Co-CEO and Chief Content Officer, Netflix.
This series is Archewell Productions’ first with Netflix and this partnership with the Invictus Games Foundation aligns with Archewell Productions’ aim to produce programming that informs, elevates, and inspires. The Duke of Sussex will appear on camera and serve as Executive Producer on the series.
The Invictus Games Foundation is serving as an Executive Producer and this project will provide significant funding to the organization, supporting their work to continue engaging and empowering their community in the lead-up to the Invictus Games The Hague 2020. As part of that effort, their global community is being provided with access to support beyond the Games, including virtual sports activities to aid their recovery and preparation. The series will follow the Invictus competitors accessing this training, Invictus Endeavours, and other opportunities provided via their global platform, We Are Invictus.
About Archewell Productions
Archewell Productions was created by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex to produce programming that informs, elevates, and inspires. Through its creative partnership with Netflix, Archewell Productions will utilize the power of storytelling to embrace our shared humanity and duty to truth through a compassionate lens.
About the Invictus Games Foundation
The Invictus Games Foundation is the charity which governs the delivery of the Invictus Games. The Duke of Sussex, founder of the Invictus Games, is Patron of the Invictus Games Foundation – created following the delivery of the inaugural Invictus Games London 2014. The international adaptive sports competition has so far been delivered in Orlando 2016, Toronto 2017 and Sydney 2018. The next Games will be held in The Hague in the Netherlands in 2022, and Dusseldorf, Germany in 2023.
The Foundation utilises the power of sport to inspire, improve and influence the recovery and rehabilitation of wounded, injured and sick Service personnel and veterans (WIS). Through providing sport recovery opportunities and adventurous challenge, the Foundation’s work supports long-term improvements in physical and mental health, inspires and motivates wider society, and helps servicemen and women re-engage with their families and communities.
We Are Invictus is a bespoke mobile app and platform built by and for the WIS community to access opportunities. More available at: www.invictusgamesfoundation.org
About Orlando von Einsiedel (Grain Media) and Joanna Natasegara (Violet Films)
Orlando von Einsiedel is the Founder of Grain Media and twice OscarⓇ nominated, once winning Director.
Joanna Natasegara is the Founder of Violet Films and three times OscarⓇ nominated, once winning Producer.
Orlando and Joanna’s joint projects VIRUNGA (Netflix Original), THE WHITE HELMETS (Netflix Original) and EVELYN (Netflix Original / BBC Films / BFI) have all focused on the core of the human spirit, seeking inspiration in the extraordinary from everyday individuals and teams from around the world.
About Netflix
Netflix is the world’s leading streaming entertainment service with 204 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, documentaries and feature films across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on any internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.
Photo by Invictus Games Foundation
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