Hollywood actors' strike: How will it hit TV shows and movies?

[July 14, 2023]  LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Thousands of Hollywood film and television actors voted to strike on Thursday, joining writers who walked off the job 11 weeks ago. How will a walkout by the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) affect viewers' favorite shows and movies?  

Striking Writers Guild of America (WGA) members walk the picket line in front of Netflix offices as SAG-AFTRA union announced it had agreed to a 'last-minute request' by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers for federal mediation, but it refused to again extend its existing labor contract past the 11:59 p.m. Wednesday negotiating deadline, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., July 12, 2023. REUTERS/Mike Blake
 

Which films and television shows would be hit?

A walkout by actors would stop all production of film and scripted television shows in the United States, except for independent productions that are not covered by labor contracts with unions.

Work on dramas and comedies has already ground to a halt in Los Angeles, according to FilmLA, which issues film permits. Production on "Stranger Things", "The Handmaid's Tale" and other shows have shut down.

What will the fall TV season look like?

Broadcast networks including Fox and Walt Disney Co's ABC have announced fall lineups heavy with reality shows, which are not affected by the strikes. ABC will air re-runs of hit comedy "Abbott Elementary" and Fox will feature an animated comedy that was already completed.

Fresh seasons of comedies and dramas that typically start in September will likely be delayed.

What about streaming services?

Netflix, Amazon.com Inc's Prime Video and other streaming services can continue to supply local-language shows made in places such as Korea and India. But their Hollywood productions would be paused.

What programming is safe from the strikes?

News programs will continue as normal because their writers are covered by a different union. The same is true for unscripted reality shows such as "Big Brother" and "The Bachelor."

What about movies?

The flow of films to theaters is protected from an immediate hit because movies take two to three years to produce. But future releases, such as Marvel's "Blade" and "Thunderbolts," have been delayed and more are expected to be put on hold until the labor conflicts are resolved. Promotional events for forthcoming movies still to be released will be cancelled.

(Reporting by Lisa Richwine and Dawn Chmielewski; Editing by Andrew Heavens)

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