Since the Writers Guild went on strike at the beginning of May, we have reported on at least 73 film and TV productions shutting down. That includes five movies and over 50 TV shows that were filming globally. While some shows, like Abbott Elementary, shut down because there were no scripts to film during the WGA strike, others were picketed by Writer’s Guild of America (WGA) members and forced to pause.
Now, with the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) announcing a strike this week, more productions are set to shut down. While we noted the majority of productions impacted by the WGA strike were TV shows, this time around will see a lot of film productions close until a deal is reached between the unions and major studios.
Studios and viewers are going to feel the heat from this strike with production shutdowns eating into budgets and viewers clamoring for new content. Already, talk shows and variety shows have been off the air since the beginning of May, and the closer we get to September the more we will see a shuffling of schedules as networks promote unscripted content.
As the strikes continue on, viewers will not see new episodes of scripted shows like NCIS and Young Sheldon but will see more Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, Dancing with the Stars, and Judge Steve Harvey on the Big Four networks.
But with actors joining writers in the strike, it’s looking more likely that big studio movies will get postponed, too. While only a handful of movies had been shut down during the WGA strike, we’ve already confirmed six shutdowns one day after the SAG-AFTRA began.
As a film and TV lover, you’re probably wondering what’s going on with your favorite shows and movies. We’ve got you covered, so bookmark this page and check back for more information as the strike continues.
Movies
Many movies were not impacted by the WGA strike because scripts are typically written years in advance and the moviemaking process does not require writers to be on set. (However, that is one thing writers are fighting for in contract negotiations with the studios.)
But movies need actors. And with SAG-AFTRA on strike, that means most movies for a major Hollywood studio will be shut down immediately. (The one exception is animated films, which can continue working and use employees for temp audio tracks until the strike is over.) The list of shutdown movies includes big Marvel tentpoles, franchise sequels, live-action remakes, movie musicals, and even auteur-driven dramas.
However, the studio movies coming out this summer are unaffected by the strike. They were all completed beforehand and many have already premiered, including Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part 1, Barbie, and Oppenheimer. The casts of those movies are no longer doing press or publicity for the films, though. (Learn more about that below.)
We’ll keep this list updated with more affected film productions as the situation progresses.
20th Century Studios
The Amateur
The upcoming thriller from 20th Century Studios has shut down production during the SAG-AFTRA strike. The film stars Rami Malek with Adrian Martinez, Rachel Brosnahan, Lauren Fishburne, Caitríona Balfe, and Julianne Nicholson in supporting roles. It is based on the book of the same name by Robert Little and is directed by James Hawes (known for Slow Horses). The production is filming in England as of June and is scheduled for release in November 2024.
Disney
Lilo & Stitch
The live-action remake of the 2002 animated classic was filming in Hawaii but has been shut down. Production was supposed to wrap in early August.
Marvel Studios
During the WGA strike, only two Marvel movies shut down. Well, one day into the SAG-AFTRA we have confirmed two Marvel shutdowns already, and the company has said it will be adjusting its production schedules accordingly.
- Blade shut down during the WGA strike and remains shut down.
- Thunderbolts paused production and remains paused as the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes continue.
Deadpool 3
While Deadpool 3 had a completed script going in the writers’ strike, the SAG-AFTRA strike means actors, including star Ryan Reynolds, cannot be on set. The movie has been filming in London since late May with Reynolds and Hugh Jackman. Shawn Levy is directing the film, which is still scheduled to be released on May 3, 2024.
Venom 3
While it’s not a Disney-Marvel production, Sony’s Marvel franchise is shutting down as well. Venom 3 starring Tom Hardy, paused filming due to the SAG-AFTRA strike. The film crew had been given a warning of the shutdown on Monday.
Pro tip: There might be a delay in future Marvel Studios releases, but that just gives you more time to catch up! Head over to our MCU guide for tips on tackling the multi-installment franchise.
Paramount
Gladiator 2
The sequel to the 2001 Oscar-winning epic Gladiator sees the return of director Ridley Scott and adds new stars including Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, and Pedro Pascal. The film began production in June and was reportedly two-thirds of the way through principal photography in Morocco. It is scheduled for release on November 24, 2024.
Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part 2
While the seventh movie in the Mission: Impossible franchise came out the week SAG-AFTRA’s strike began, filming on the eighth movie was already deep in production. While a lot of action sequences have finished filming, there was still filming left to do. However, the film was on a scheduled pause for Part 1 with Tom Cruise, the cast, and writer-director Christopher McQuarrie on a promotional tour.
Of note, Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part 1 is the last major studio film to release before the SAG-AFTRA strike.
Sony Pictures
Paddington in Peru (aka Paddington 3)
The threequel from Sony Pictures and StudioCanal reunites Ben Whishaw’s Paddington Bear with Aunt Lucy (Imelda Staunton) as the Brown family visits Peru. The film was scheduled to begin filming in late July but is on hold.
Universal
Twisters
The disaster film from Universal Pictures (with distribution globally from Warner Bros. Pictures) was suspended due to the SAG-AFTRA strike. The film had been in production in Oklahoma since May with Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, and Anthony Ramos leading the cast.
Wicked: Part One
The film sets for Wicked, the adaptation of the hit Broadway musical, are empty and production has ceased in the U.K. The film stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo and was supposed to finish filming on July 25 before it was suspended. Wicked: Part One is scheduled for release on November 27, 2024.
Warner Bros. Discovery
Beetlejuice 2
Tim Burton directs the sequel to the 1988 film with Michael Keaton reprising his role as Beetlejuice (we won’t say it a third time) with Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara returning and Jenna Ortega joining the cast. The production is almost done filming in London and apparently needed to film one more sequence in the U.S. before the strike. The film is set for release on September 6, 2024.
Juror #2
The 42nd, and reportedly last, film from director Clint Eastwood suspended production. The movie had been filming in Georgia with Nicholas Hoult and Toni Collette before it was stopped.
Minecraft
The video game adaptation starring Jason Momoa and Matt Berry was set to begin filming next month in New Zealand, but now will not begin until the end of the strike. Warner Bros. Discovery dated the film for April 4, 2025.
Mortal Kombat 2
The video game adaptation and sequel to the 2021 film was shooting in Australia when the strike began. Filming was expected to end in September but was suspended.
Shifting release dates
While the summer release schedule is pretty set with Barbie and Oppenheimer releasing the July 21 weekend and movies like Disney’s The Haunted Mansion, Warner Bros. Discovery’s The Meg 2, Paramount’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Sony’s Gran Turismo ready to go, it’s important to note that those four movies are sequels or based on well-known IP that can help the studio sell tickets even if actors are on strike. However, if the strike stretches on through August, there could be problems.
We’re starting to see movies shift their release date and studios are clearly open to schedule changes.
In fact, on July 28, Sony Pictures moved the release dates around for six of its upcoming movies. They include:
- Gran Turismo (originally set for August 11)
- Kraven the Hunter (originally set for October 6)
- Ghostbusters: Afterlife (originally set for December 20)
- Spider-Man: Beyond the Spiderverse (originally set for March 29, 2024)
- The Karate Kid (originally set for June 7, 2024)
- They Listen (originally set for August 30, 2024)
On August 24, Warner Bros. and Legendary Entertainment pushed back Dune: Part Two to March and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire to April. The cited reason for this delay is the SAG-AFTRA strike and the fact that the star-studded cast—including Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, and Javier Bardem with newcomers Austin Butler and Florence Pugh—cannot do any publicity for the film.
Keep an eye on our guide for more information on delayed fall films.
Pro tip: Stay updated as release dates change with our handy guide.
Granted a waiver
Unions can grant waivers or exemptions to productions if they meet specific criteria—including being an independent production separate from the major studios that make up the AMPTP. Waivers will typically apply to indie films as they’re only a few series in the U.S. made without a studio. SAG-AFTRA will grant waivers to “truly independent producers” not affiliated with the AMPTP. Productions granted a SAG-AFTRA waiver are bound retroactively to the contract terms reached by AMPTP and SAG-AFTRA negotiations.
As of July 20, SAG-AFTRA granted waivers to 58 productions, including four TV shows. All waivered productions are with production companies who have signed agreements with the guild that allow them to resume production. SAG-AFTRA members are allowed to work on these productions. However, just because a production received a waiver does not mean it will immediately resume filming.
On August 14, SAG-AFTRA announced it would not be granting waivers to productions also covered by the WGA. This ensures that projects adhere to demands from both of the striking unions and that studios cannot circumvent the WGA or SAG-AFTRA. Most of the interim agreements are for indie projects and publicity right now.
The full list of approved productions can be found on SAG-AFTRA’s website.
Bride Hard
The action-comedy starring Rebel Wilson was granted a SAG-AFTRA waiver is continuing to film in the U.S. The film stars Wilson as a secret agent who is asked to be the maid of honor for her best friend from childhood.
Death of a Unicorn
Jenna Ortega and Paul Rudd star in the new film as a father-daughter duo who accidentally run over a unicorn. The film will be written and directed by Alex Scharfman and received a waiver from SAG-AFTRA. (Meanwhile, Ortega’s two other major projects—Wednesday and Beetlejuice 2—are on hold due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Rudd’s voice will be heard in the upcoming animated movie Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.)
Dust Bunny
Bryan Fuller is directing Mads Mikkelson in the horror feature, which reunites the duo behind the NBC serial killer drama Hannibal. The movie is about a girl who is convinced there’s a monster under bed.
Mother Mary
The new movie from writer-director David Lowery is a pop music drama with Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel in the lead roles. The film is co-financed by Topic Studios and A24 and is independent of the major studios, which is why SAG-AFTRA granted the production a waiver.
Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour
Yep, it’s true—the concert film for Taylor Swift’s record-breaking Eras Tour is covered by a SAG-AFTRA interim agreement. The project was filmed in Los Angeles, at SoFi Stadium, without any studio involvement. It was self-financed by Swift and her production team. SAG-AFTRA’s National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland confirmed the interim agreement in a conversation at the Toronto International Film Festival, “Taylor and her team came to us…the only way she could do it is the right way.”
The Killer’s Game
Ben Kingsley, Dave Bautista, and Sofia Boutella star in the action comedy from director JJ Perry. The film is based on a novel and follows an assassin who authorizes a hit on himself. Lionsgate is behind the film, but SAG-AFTRA granted a waiver so there must be an independent producer fronting the production.
The Watchers
The independent film from director Ishana Night Shyamalan and starring Dakota Fanning was granted a SAG-AFTRA waiver. Although the film is independent, New Line (a division of studio Warner Bros. Discovery) is on board to distribute the film, although deals have not been signed yet so The Watchers is still technically independent. The production is filming in Ireland and may also fall under Equity rules.
Your Lucky Day
The independent horror thriller from Daniel Brown, and starring Angus Cloud in one of his final roles, secured an interim agreement ahead of its premiere at Fantastic Fest in late September.
Scripted television and streaming
Many scripted television shows are already shut down due to the WGA strike. Check out our list to see if your favorites have already been impacted.
Scripted TV production has almost completely halted due to the dual WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. The fall TV schedule looks a lot different with a heavy reliance on game shows and reality TV.
This list will cover new shutdowns related to the SAG-AFTRA strike or the joint efforts of SAG-AFTRA and the WGA picket lines.
Completed
There are a few shows that managed to finish production before SAG-AFTRA went on strike.
Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (Amazon Prime Video)
When the WGA strike began, there were two weeks left of filming for the second season of the Amazon Prime Video series, and it is reported that the show finished filming before the SAG-AFTRA strike began. Due to the WGA strike, the showrunners have been absent from the set.
The Palace (HBO)
The HBO drama starring Kate Winslet wrapped in recent weeks and avoided the strike. The limited series, written by Will Tracy and Frank Rich (both from Succession) and directed by Stephen Frears (The Queen and The Crown) is the story of a year within the palace walls of an authoritarian regime.
Slow Horses (Apple TV+)
The spy drama reportedly completed all SAG-AFTRA member scenes before the strike was called and will continue production with Equity members.
Granted a waiver
Unions can grant waivers or exemptions to productions if they meet specific criteria—including being an independent production separate from the major studios that make up the AMPTP. Waivers will typically apply to indie films as they’re only a few series in the U.S. made without a studio. SAG-AFTRA will grant waivers to “truly independent producers” not affiliated with the AMPTP. Productions granted a SAG-AFTRA waiver are bound retroactively to the contract terms reached by AMPTP and SAG-AFTRA negotiations. In other words, these waivers are essentially “interim agreements” with the productions and the unions that signify the production has signed on to a contract with the union based on the terms the union offered the AMPTP and studios before negotiations broke down.
As of July 20, SAG-AFTRA granted waivers to 58 productions, including four TV shows. All waivered productions are with production companies who have signed agreements with the guild that allow them to resume production. SAG-AFTRA members are allowed to work on these productions. However, just because a production received a waiver does not mean it will immediately resume filming.
The full list of approved productions can be found on SAG-AFTRA’s website.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon
AMC Networks signed an interim agreement with SAG-AFTRA covering three productions, and Daryl Dixon is one of them. The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon is filming its second season in Europe. The first season of the spinoff premieres on September 10 on AMC. It stars Norman Reedus as the titular character who ends up in France and has to figure out how and why he got there. It is the fifth Walking Dead spinoff.
Hal and Harper
The indie TV series from Cha Cha Real Smooth director and actor Cooper Raiff was awarded an interim agreement from SAG-AFTRA. The series stars Lili Reinhart, Raiff, and Mark Ruffalo. There are no details about Hal and Harper but it’s said to be a family drama. The received its interim agreement before SAG-AFTRA and the WGA agreed to exclude WGA-covered projects covered projects filmed in the U.S. from interim agreements.
Interview with a Vampire
AMC Networks signed an interim agreement with SAG-AFTRA covering three productions, and Interview with a Vampire is one of them. The show was initially shut down in July due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, and we had it noted below as a closed production. However, with the new agreement, the show will resume filming its second season in Prague. Interview with a Vampire is based on the 1976 Anne Rice novel. The story follows the life of vampire Louis de Pointe du Lac (Jacob Anderson) who recounts his life and times with fellow vampires Lestat de Loincourt (Sam Reid) and Claudia (Bailey Bass in the first season and Delaney Haynes in the second season) to journalist Daniel Molloy (Eric Bogosian). The first season of the AMC show is available to stream on Max through October.
The Chosen
Season four of the popular series about the story of Jesus has been granted a waiver from SAG-AFTRA to continue filming during the strike. The series is filming in Utah and is due to wrap in two weeks after shutting down for a day or two at the start of the strike. While Seasons 1-3 have sold to studios in distribution deals, Season 4 is said to be produced independently. Viewers have helped crowdfund the series in the past and new episodes are typically released on the show’s app and website.
The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live
AMC Networks signed an interim agreement with SAG-AFTRA covering three productions, and The Ones Who Live is one of them. The spinoff wraps the story arcs for Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and Michonne (Danai Gurira) and is slated to premiere in 2024. Production on The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live was nearly complete and only has work left to do in post-production, including ADR, which requires actors to read lines. It is the sixth spinoff, and seventh series, in The Walking Dead universe.
Tehran
The Apple TV+ show received a SAG-AFTRA waiver even though Apple TV is an AMPTP member; the theory here is that it received a waiver through the initial production company of the show since Apple only distributes. There is about a week left to film on the series that stars Niv Sultan, Shaun Toub, Glenn Close, and Hugh Laurie.
When Calls the Heart
The popular, and long-running, western series from Hallmark was given a waiver and will keep filming during the SAG-AFTRA strike. Season 11 of the series is in production and season 10 premieres at the end of July. The series stars Erin Krakow and is inspired by Janette Oke’s book of the same name.
Still in production
Shows in production in the U.K. are continuing production and will not be shutting down. The reason for this is that actors in the U.K. are under a different contract (with the actors’ union Equity) and while Equity is in solidarity with SAG-AFTRA, the productions will continue.
Alien (FX)
Production for the prequel to the Alien franchise began in Thailand this week with non-SAG-AFTRA members. The actors on set now are members of Equity and Alien is an Equity production. No SAG-AFTRA actors are filming for the production.
Bad Sisters (Apple TV+)
Season 2 of the Emmy-nominated show is set to film in Ireland. Co-creator, writer, and star Sharon Horgan has been writing the project and it is presumed to be operating under Equity rules.
Dune: The Sisterhood (Max)
Another show contracted under the U.K. union Equity is Dune: The Sisterhood. The show stars Emily Watson and Shalom Brune Franklin and is set to relaunch production in Budapest.
House of the Dragon (HBO)
The Game of Thrones prequel airing on HBO has already reported that reshoots and rewrites will occur after the WGA strike, and the show’s production is moving full steam ahead. Some of the actors are members of SAG-AFTRA, but the production is operating under Equity rules.
Industry (HBO)
The HBO drama about financial professionals in London does star two U.S. actors but is expected to continue production under Equity rules.
The Day of the Jackal (Peacock + Sky)
The TV series, based on the 1971 book by Frederick Forsyth, has been filming in London, Budapest, Croatia, and Austria with Eddie Redmayne in the lead. It will continue filming as it is under the Equity contract and not SAG-AFTRA.
Release date delayed
Rap Sh!t (Max)
One of the few show premieres to be impacted by the SAG-AFTRA strike: Issa Rae’s Rap Sh!t (airing on Max) has pushed its debut back three months from August 10 to November 9. The goal is that both writers and actors will be able to promote the series then.
Airing on Amazon Prime Video
Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Based on the 2005 film by director Doug Liman and writer Simon Kinberg starring Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, this new series reimagines the movie with Donald Glover (Atlanta) and Maya Erskine (PEN15) taking over the lead roles. From co-creators Donald Glover and Francesca Sloane (Fargo), the show saw its release pushed to early next year when the streamer hopes the writers’ and actors’ strikes will be over.
Airing on AMC
Interview with a Vampire
The second season of the show starring Jacob Anderson and Sam Reid was expected to finish filming on August 31. (Scripts were completed before the WGA strike.) However, filming was eventually suspended as a result of the SAG-AFTRA strike.
Update: On August 31, AMC Networks and SAG-AFTRA reached an agreement to continue production on the show.
Airing on Apple TV+
Silo
The Apple TV+ series starring Rebecca Ferguson was taking a scheduled break this week that has been extended to a hiatus until further notice. Based on Hugh Howey’s novels, the series also stars Tim Robbins and Rashida Jones. It is the number one drama on Apple TV+ and films in the U.K.
Foundation
There are also reports that the unconfirmed third season of Foundation has shut down production in Prague. The series has been filming since early April and was not affected by the WGA strike; however, most of its cast are SAG-AFTRA members. Filming was scheduled to conclude in October but is now on hold until the end of the strike.
Airing on Disney+
Andor
Show creator, and WGA member, Tony Gilroy has been outspoken against the AMPTP’s negotiation tactics. The Emmy-nominated Star Wars show stars Diego Luna, Stellan Skarsgård, and Adria Arjona. Season 2 of the popular Star Wars show remains in production without its SAG-AFTRA members (relying on U.K. Equity actors instead) and without WGA members including Gilroy. The series will remain filming as long as it can with those actors.
Airing on HBO
The Franchise
The newly-ordered HBO series is on pause due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Production on the pilot for the show was completed before the SAG-AFTRA strike, and HBO announced the series pick-up on August 9. The Franchise is a send-up Marvel and DC movies and follows the origin story of a superhero movie.
The comedy series stars Himesh Patel (Yesterday) and Aya Cash (You’re the Worst) with Richard E. Grant and Daniel Brühl also starring. The show is from director-producer Sam Mendes (Skyfall, Penny Dreadful), writer-producer Armando Iannucci (Veep, The Thick of It), and writer-showrunner Jon Brown (Succession, Veep).
Airing on Netflix
The Residence
From Shondaland, The Residence is a whodunnit crime Rama based in the White House. The series is based on Kate Andersen Brower’s 2015 book “The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House” and will be executive produced by Shonda Rhimes (Grey’s Anatomy, Bridgerton, Scandal), Betsy Beers (Bridgerton), and Paul William Davies (Scandal). The show promises “132 rooms. 157 suspects. One dead body.”
The show has been delayed by the SAG-AFTRA strike but will later premiere on Netflix.
A Note on Other Popular TV Shows
Many other shows are already paused due to the WGA strike and are not listed above. For the list of shows impacted first by the WGA strike, check out our guide.
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Award shows and promotional appearances
While actors and other stage performers can technically appear on live shows, variety shows, and awards shows, many of those programs have been shut down since the WGA strike began in May.
Awards shows
Many awards shows have already been postponed due to the writers’ strike. However, the Tony Awards were able to showcase the Broadway community and go on without writers. It’s unlikely that Hollywood-centric awards shows will be allowed to do that without WGA picketers, but even still, not having actors available to walk the red carpet takes away a lot of the event’s shine for at-home viewers.
Primetime Emmy Awards: May be postponed
The 2023 Primetime Emmy Awards are set to air on September 18, 2023, on Fox, but the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike may force a postponement of the awards show. The Creative Arts Emmys are scheduled for the weekend prior on September 9 and 10 and will air on FXX.
Promotional appearances
A major aspect of the SAG-AFTRA strike rules states that “promotion of/publicity services for work under the TV/Theatrical Contracts” is prohibited and must be withheld by all members of SAG-AFTRA who are on strike. This includes interviews, personal appearances, film festivals, premieres, and, yes, award shows.
So, while actors can technically go on talk shows (the ones still in production) and attend awards shows, they cannot be there to promote or talk about any work they did for the studios under the expired contract. What this means is that you won’t be seeing Emily Blunt on The Talk or the cast of The Bear at the Emmys (which may be postponed anyways).
SAG-AFTRA grants indie publicity waivers
In late July, we reported on some movies receiving promotional waivers from SAG-AFTRA. The union granted the waivers only to indie productions not connected to AMPTP member studios).
The first SAG-AFTRA publicity waiver was given to the film The Unknown Country, which stars Lily Gladstone (Killers of the Flower Moon) and Raymond Lee (Quantum Leap). The filmmakers, cast, and crew attended a local premiere in South Dakota, community screenings for the indigenous community, and Q&As in New York and Los Angeles.
With the lineup announced for the Venice Film Festival, more films are applying for waivers so actors can appear at the festival.
DogMan, by director Luc Besson, was granted the first waiver for the fall festival season since the film was independently financed and is not attached to a major studio or distributor. The cast includes Caleb Landry Jones, Christopher Denham, Jojo T. Gibbs, and Marisa Berenson. Still, there has yet to be a confirmation that any actors will appear at the festival.
Michael Mann’s new film Ferrari, from indie studio Neon (not a member of the AMPTP), was also granted a waiver for publicity. The film’s cast, including Adam Driver, Penélope Cruz, Shailene Woodley, Jack O’Connell, and Patrick Dempsey, can attend the Venice Film Festival world premiere and other fall festival events. Like DogMan, it is unclear whether any of the actors will, in fact, attend the events.
More indie film publicity waiver applications have been submitted to SAG-AFTRA, especially as the fall film festival kicks into gear. Already, Ferrari, Priscilla, DogMan, and Memory premiered at the Venice Film Festival with stars in attendance. Upcoming festivals including the Toronto International Film Festival, New York Film Festival, BFI London Film Festival, and AFI Fest.
SAG-AFTRA strike FAQ
Why is SAG-AFTRA on strike?
SAG-AFTRA, the labor union representing screen actors, announced its members would go on strike after weeks of negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) did not yield a new contract before the expiration date. Writers and actors negotiated for similar things, including fair pay and protections against artificial intelligence.
For more information on why SAG-AFTRA is on strike, please check out our explainer article.
What happens during an actors’ strike?
All work done by actors for studios stops. That includes acting in film and TV productions and promotional appearances—so you won’t be seeing new segments with the stars of Barbie on The Today Show. SAG-AFTRA’s strike rules include more in-depth guidelines and include auditions, rehearsals wardrobe fittings, stunt work, and off-camera work like singing, voice acting, and narration. The promotional and publicity part of the strike rules is where it gets interesting—actors cannot attend panels, premieres, award shows, or promote work done under the previous contracts on social media.
So, instead of seeing actors on all of the usual talk shows, you’ll find them on the picket lines.
What does this mean for fall TV shows?
Well, the staple shows of ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox have not been in production for two months now because of the WGA strike. Without scripts completed, there will be no filming and those shows will be delayed.
For shows that were in production, many were shut down due to picketing from the WGA. The Hollywood Reporter found that only four shows were still in production on the east coast while no scripted series were filming on location in Los Angeles at the start of July.
Will my favorite shows return to air soon?
Popular network shows including Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., NCIS, Young Sheldon, and The Simpsons have officially paused production because of the SAG-AFTRA strike. Other popular shows like Abbott Elementary, Night Court, Family Guy, Yellowjackets, Stranger Things, and The Last of Us had already paused production at the start of the WGA strike.
Right now, most TV shows and movies are not in production due to the dual strikes from the WGA and SAG-AFTRA against the major studios.
Could completed movies be impacted by the SAG-AFTRA strike?
Yes, they could. Even if a film is done with production, an actor’s role does not end there; publicity is a big part of their deal and with SAG-AFTRA strike rules preventing any publicity or promotional appearances for work done for struck companies, completed movies and TV shows could see their release dates impacted.
Already we’re seeing studios host premieres without movie stars (Disney’s Haunted Mansion premiered at Disneyland Resort with the director and Disney characters walking the red carpet) and some directors are suggesting studios push back their movies.
What about the fall film festival circuit and awards season?
Honestly, studios are hoping the strike doesn’t last that long. But if it does, studios and festivals will need to figure out a Plan B. Star-driven movies like Maestro (starring Bradley Cooper), The Killer (Michael Fassbender, Tilda Swinton), Killers of the Flower Moon (Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert DeNiro), and Dune: Part II (Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya) could premiere on the festival circuit without their stars. If anything, the fall festival circuit and awards season could be a reason to come back to the negotiation table sooner rather than later.
When will the strike end?
The short answer is once the studios (led by the AMPTP) and the union agree to a fair contract for everyone. That could be completed in a week—SAG-AFTRA leadership has said they are ready to return to the negotiating table—or it could stretch through the fall.
The best guess right now is that it will last until Labor Day, which would impact the film release calendar for 2024 and the TV shows networks air through early 2024. A work stoppage going to September could set Hollywood back by six months. Right now, with no one at the negotiation table, it seems like the strikes will last until at least September.
Are reality shows affected by the actors’ strike?
No, they are not. Reality shows are produced under a different contract (the Network Television Code) than the contract that expired in July. Actors are allowed to appear on reality shows and the unscripted programs are still in production. In fact, reality shows will be a big part of cable networks’ fall schedule.
Will the actors' strike affect soap operas?
No, the strike will not affect soap operas. Soap operas are produced under a different contract called the Network Television Code, which has not expired. (The TV/Theatrical Contracts have expired and it impacts scripted film and television programs.) Actors are allowed to appear on soap operas, which are still in production.
What movies will be affected by the strike?
We’ve reported on over a dozen films that have shut down production as a result of the SAG-AFTRA strike. Some of the biggest shutdowns so far have been Marvel Studio’s Deadpool 3, Paramount’s sequels to Gladiator and Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning, and Universal’s Wicked: Part One.
Have the WGA and SAG-AFTRA ever been on strike together?
Yes, they have, but it was all the way back in 1960 when Ronald Reagan was president of SAG with members Janet Leigh, Tony Curtis, and Desi Arnaz. Back then, there were separate contracts for TV and film, too. The SAG strike lasted four weeks against film producers (March to April) with no strike against TV work. The WGA strike began in January and lasted until June—155 days for TV work and 147 days for film work. The big issues on the table were residuals from films being licensed for TV viewing along with health benefits and better working conditions.
“The last time both of our unions struck at the same time,” an email from the Writers Guild to its members said, “actors and writers won landmark provisions that we all continue to benefit from today—residuals and pension and health funds.”
How long was the last actors’ strike?
The last time film screen actors went on strike was in 1980. The strike last a little over 3 months and resulted in 32.5% wage increases, gross revenues for home releases, and an increase in residuals. There hasn’t been a full strike since SAG and AFTRA merged in 2012. (There was a commercial actors’ strike in 2000 with SAG and AFTRA, though.)
How many strikes has SAG-AFTRA had?
There have been eight strikes in SAG’s history, including the 2023 strike. “ “This is a union that views strikes as a last resort,” SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland said at the union’s press conference. “but we’re not afraid to do them if that’s what it takes to ensure our members receive a fair contract.”
How can you support the SAG-AFTRA strike?
You can support the SAG-AFTRA strike by posting on social media and donating money to the Entertainment Community Fund. Actors and writers are on strike and numerous productions are shut down, which affects the livelihoods of millions of people in the entertainment industry.
The unions do not want you to cancel streaming service subscriptions or not attend a movie at your local theater. Supporting the art and content of writers, actors, and everyone in Hollywood will benefit actors and writers in their negotiations.
Does the actors’ strike affect Broadway?
No, it does not. While there is overlap in membership, Broadway actors are members of Actors Equity, which is not on strike. Stage productions are still ongoing and you should consider attending and supporting your local theatre if possible.
Will the directors (DGA) strike, too?
No, the directors will not strike. The Directors Guild of America (DGA) ratified a new contract with the studios on June 23.
Update: This list originally included Apple’s Untitled F1 Film starring Brad Pitt and directed by Joseph Kosinski. However, the film is still in production and was spotted filming by ESPN at the Hungarian Grand Prix. While Pitt is not filming any footage for the film until the end of the SAG-AFTRA strike, the production is still ongoing and is filming racing scenes without any SAG-AFTRA members.
