Invictus Games gold medallist JJ Chalmers praises Prince Harry's decision to showcase charity sports event for injured veterans in first Netflix series as 'an opportunity to take it to a much bigger scale'
- Invictus Games' JJ Chalmers praised Prince Harry's decision to work with Netflix
- Duke of Sussex' first series with network will be about the charity sports event
- 'Heart of Invictus' will follow competitors around the world as they train
Invictus Games gold medallist JJ Chalmers has praised Prince Harry's decision to work with Netflix on a series about the charity sports event for injured veterans.
The TV presenter, who appeared on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing in 2020, chatted to Lorraine today about the Invictus Games' work with the NHS during the pandemic.
When asked about the Duke of Sussex's decision to create a programme about the charity with Netflix, JJ praised the move because it is 'an opportunity to take it to a much bigger scale', he insisted.
Earlier this month, the streaming service announced Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's first TV series following their multi-million pound deal with the network, which will be a documentary series about the Invictus Games.
The programme, Heart of Invictus, will follow competitors around the world training for the Games at The Hague which had been expected to take place in 2020 but were delayed until next year due to the pandemic.
Invictus Games gold medallist JJ Chalmers (pictured) has praised Prince Harry's decision to work with Netflix on a series about the charity sports event for injured veterans
The TV presenter, who appeared on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing in 2020, chatted to Lorraine today about the Invictus Games' work with the NHS during the pandemic. Pictured, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the Invictus Games in 2017
Harry and Meghan's Archewell Productions are working with director Orlando von Einsiedel and producer Joanna Natasegara on the series which will follow both the athletes and organisers as they prepare for the event.
Speaking to Lorraine, JJ said: 'There were a lot of key parts in my recovery, but the biggest catalyst in it was the Invictus Games and it's remarkable.
'I'm just one story. How do you go from Afghanistan to broken to hospital to somehow being on Strictly Come Dancing, honestly that's the power of the positive attitude at the Invictus Games.
Earlier this month, Netflix announced Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 's first TV series for the network, about the Invictus Games
Pictured: Harry and Meghan attend the UK Team Trials for the Invictus Games Sydney at the University of Bath Sports Training Village in 2018
'And like I said at the beginning, it's Prince Harry vision that this has to have a bigger impact in society, and you know, quite frankly right now Netflix is one of the biggest platforms you could ever want to be on.
'The BBC have always been committed to the games in this country but this is an opportunity to take the Invictus Games to a much, much bigger scale, and to tell the amazing stories of the individuals involved in these games.
'... What they've been through and also the power that they have, and they have a wider new sense of service essentially.'
JJ was on the show today explaining his work with the NHS, including a podcast series called The Conversation with the NHS.
Members of the Invictus network share stories from military life to support people in the NHS with processing challenging experiences from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Duke of Sussex, 36, who will appear on camera and be an executive producer of the Invictus series, has been living in an £10million mansion in Montecito, California, with his wife Meghan, 39, since last summer after they both quit as senior royals.
Netflix said the couple would be producing 'content that informs but also gives hope,' from documentaries and scripted series, to features and children's programming.
The couple, who have also signed a multi-million-pound deal with Spotify and gave a bombshell interview to Oprah Winfrey last month, are expecting a baby girl while their son Archie will turn two next month.
Talking about the new show, Harry said: '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.'
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