Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are hoping to challenge common misconceptions about polo through their new Netflix docuseries, according to the show’s producer, Miloš Balać. Speaking to The Post ahead of the release of the five-episode series titled “Polo,” Balać revealed that the couple aims to show that the sport is more than just a glamorous pastime associated with royalty and rosé.
Set against the backdrop of the 2024 US Open Polo Championship in Wellington, Florida, the series delves into the lives of some of the sport’s top players, showcasing the dedication and sacrifices they make for their passion. Balać praised both Harry and Meghan as “amazing collaborators,” noting their deep understanding of the sport and their commitment to broadening its appeal.
“Both Prince Harry and Meghan were just amazing collaborators from the start,” Balać said, adding that they brought unique perspectives to the project. Harry, as an athlete who grew up in the polo world, approached the series with a professional and expert eye, while Meghan, who joined the sport later, offered a fresh viewpoint, similar to Balać’s own initial lack of familiarity with polo.
“Harry comes at it as an athlete himself who’s grown up in this world and is just a pro – expert, expert expert,” Balać explained. “And then Meghan comes at it more like me,” he added, noting that she could relate to how many viewers might initially perceive the sport. “And so then it was about sort of taking from each of those perspectives and building out the world the way we did.”
The collective goal, according to Balać, was to expand the audience for polo by highlighting its depth and community. “I think the difference in approach was that Harry, you know, is really seeing it as ‘look at how incredible these athletes are. Look how incredible these animals are’ which Meghan sees and says the same,” he explained. “But I think for her, it’s also like, ‘Look at how incredible this community is.’”
Balać emphasized that the series aims to show polo as a lifestyle that extends beyond the glitz and glamour often associated with it. “It’s not ‘Pretty Woman.’ It’s not just about [the] rich and glamorous life on a Sunday. That definitely is part of the appeal. You know, that’s undeniable. But that’s on a Sunday, one match a week. The rest of the week is a lot of hard work, a lot of blood, sweat and tears.”
The show also captures the more casual and fun aspects of polo, such as tailgating and family gatherings, which Balać believes can resonate with a broader audience. “A lot of people pulling up in their pickup trucks, tailgating, watching a sport they love with their family, with their dogs, taking care of their horses — it really is a lifestyle that I think more people can maybe embrace than they might think.”
Prince Harry’s involvement in the series was a happy coincidence, as the Sentebale Polo Cup, which benefits his charity Sentebale, happened to be scheduled in Wellington during the US Open. The charity, co-founded by Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, supports vulnerable children in Lesotho and Botswana, including those affected by HIV/AIDS and mental health issues. Harry’s appearance in the final episode, playing in a match for Sentebale, was a highlight of the series.
“The premise of the series was always really to capture polo at its highest level in the US,” Balać explained. “It was about these athletes and their families.” However, the scheduling overlap with the Sentebale Polo Cup allowed the team to feature Harry, adding an unexpected but welcome dimension to the show.
All five episodes of “Polo” are now available to stream on Netflix.
Source link: https://nypost.com
