Prince Harry Partners With Oprah Winfrey on Mental Health Series for Apple TV+

LOS ANGELES (Variety.com) – Britain’s Prince Harry has announced that he is partnering with Oprah Winfrey on a mental health series for +. The prince, who is also known as the Duke of Sussex, announced the partnership Wednesday on his official Instagram account. The show, which will launch on Apple in 2020, is co-created and executive produced by the Duke of Sussex and Winfrey.

The announcement said the pair had been developing the multi-part documentary series for several months. The as-yet-untitled series was first announced as part of Apple TV+’s upcoming slate at an event last month. It forms part of a multi-year content deal with Winfrey.

Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visit the Royal Pavilion in Brighton

The series will focus on both mental illness and mental wellbeing with the intention to inspire its audience to engage in honest conversation about the challenges each of us faces and how to deal with them.

A statement from said it was his hope was that the series would be positive, enlightening and inclusive, sharing “global stories of unparalleled human spirit fighting back from the darkest places, and the opportunity for us to understand ourselves and those around us better.”

 

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We are excited to announce that The Duke of Sussex and Oprah Winfrey are partners, co-creators and executive producers on their forthcoming mental health series launching on Apple in 2020. The pair have been developing the series for several months and are looking forward to sharing such an important project on this global platform. The dynamic multi-part documentary series will focus on both mental illness and mental wellness, inspiring viewers to have an honest conversation about the challenges each of us faces, and how to equip ourselves with the tools to not simply survive, but to thrive. This commitment builds on The Duke of Sussex’s long-standing work on issues and initiatives regarding mental health, where he has candidly shared personal experience and advocated for those who silently suffer, empowering them to get the help and support they deserve. His Royal Highness has spent many years working with communities throughout the UK and young people across the Commonwealth to break the stigma surrounding mental illness and broaden the conversation of mental wellness to accelerate change for a more compassionate, connected and positive society. Quote from HRH: “I truly believe that good mental health – mental fitness – is the key to powerful leadership, productive communities and a purpose-driven self. It is a huge responsibility to get this right as we bring you the facts, the science and the awareness of a subject that is so relevant during these times. Our hope is that this series will be positive, enlightening and inclusive – sharing global stories of unparalleled human spirit fighting back from the darkest places, and the opportunity for us to understand ourselves and those around us better. I am incredibly proud to be working alongside Oprah on this vital series.”

A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on Apr 10, 2019 at 2:58am PDT

“I truly believe that good mental health – mental fitness – is the key to powerful leadership, productive communities and a purpose-driven self,” read the statement. “It is a huge responsibility to get this right as we bring you the facts, the science and the awareness of a subject that is so relevant during these times. I am incredibly proud to be working alongside Oprah on this vital series.”

Duke and Duchess of Sussex visit Morocco

Prince Harry has long campaigned around the issue of mental health in the past, seeking to break the stigma around mental illness. He drew praise in 2017 after speaking candidly about the how the death of his mother, Princess Diana, had affected him. Speaking to journalist Bryony Gordon for a podcast for the U.K.’s Telegraph newspaper in April of that year the prince revealed he had shut down all his emotions “for 20 years” which he said had “had a quite serious effect not only on my personal life but also on my work as well.” “My way of dealing with it was refusing to ever think about my mum because why would that help?” said Harry. “It’s only going to make you sad. It’s not going to bring her back. It was 20 years of not thinking about it and then two years of total chaos.”

Winfrey was a guest at the wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle in May 2018 at Windsor Castle.