Heart of Invictus launches on Netflix
Today, the new series Heart of Invictus has launched on Netflix streaming worldwide.
The 5-part series produced by Archewell Productions, in partnership with the Invictus Games Foundation, is from the OscarⓇ-winning team of director Orlando von Einsiedel and producer Joanna Natasegara (THE WHITE HELMETS, VIRUNGA, EVELYN).
The series follows a group of extraordinary competitors from around the globe, all service members who have experienced life-changing injuries or illnesses, on their road to the Invictus Games The Hague 2020.
Episode one, entitled 'Something Needs to Change', introduces veterans from the UK, the USA, Ukraine and the Republic of Korea as they share their experiences of service, injury and their hopes for the competition.
Episode two, entitled 'Invisible Injuries' examines PTSD and the toll of trauma on mental health as we meet the competitors from Denmark and Canada. UK's Tom finds purpose in rugby, and Taira reconnects with her family in Ukraine.
Episode three, entitled 'One Step Forward, Three Steps Back', sees Team UK's Wheelchair Rugby Team enduring a loss. Team US competitor Gabe opens up about his childhood trauma. As the Invictus Games draw near, Taira volunteers amid attacks in Ukraine.
Episode four, entitled 'Group Therapy', brings everyone together at the Invictus Games The Hague 2020. Risking capture by Russian forces Team Ukraine travel to the Games, but not everyone is present. Emotions swell as the Games finally begin.
Episode five, entitled 'Where The Light Enters', shows the competitors giving it their all in Cycling, Indoor Rowing, Wheelchair Rugby, Archery and more. Beyond Invictus, their healing journeys continue in new ways.
All five episodes are streaming now.
The Invictus Games Foundation served as an Executive Producer on the series and this project provided significant funding to the charity, supporting our work to continue engaging and empowering the Invictus community. If you've been inspired to support our work further, please get in touch or support us here.
About Archewell Productions
Archewell Productions was created by Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex to produce programming that informs, elevates, and inspires. Through its creative partnership with Netflix, Archewell Productions utilizes the power of storytelling to embrace shared humanity and a duty to truth through a compassionate lens.
About the Invictus Games Foundation
The Invictus Games Foundation charity supports the recovery and rehabilitation of international wounded injured and sick service personnel and veterans through sport. It governs the delivery of the Invictus Games, runs an online community, as well as provides sport recovery and adventurous challenge opportunities beyond the Games across 23 nations. Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex is the founder of the Invictus Games and Patron of the Invictus Games Foundation, created following the delivery of the inaugural 2014 event. The international adaptive sports competition has so far been delivered in London 2014, Orlando 2016, Toronto 2017, and Sydney 2018, and The Hague in 2022. The next Games will be held in Dusseldorf, Germany from September 9-16, 2023 and then Vancouver and Whistler, Canada in February 2025.
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 wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women re-engage with their families and communities. The online community is facilitated via We Are Invictus, a bespoke mobile app and platform built by and for the WIS community.
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.