Breaking: How the 2023 Writers Guild of America Strike Spells Trouble for Your Favorite TV Shows

The Writers Guild of America went on strike in May 2023, impacting numerous TV shows. Prior to the expiration of the WGA contract, writers and studios tried to negotiate a new wage agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers in April 2023. Unfortunately, the negotiations failed as the WGA insisted on incorporating streaming residuals, improved working conditions, and limitations on the use of artificial intelligence technology into their compensation.

WGA members stressed in an open letter that their primary concern was to receive "equitable compensation that accurately acknowledges the significance of our creative input to the success of these companies, while also safeguarding the longevity of writing as a viable profession."

Following unsuccessful negotiations with AMPTP, the entity representing prominent networks including Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Disney, Discovery-Warner, NBC Universal, Paramount, and Sony, a strike was officially declared.

"The behavior of these companies has led to the emergence of a gig economy within a unionized workforce, and their unwavering position in these negotiations demonstrates a lack of commitment to upholding the value of the writing profession," stated the letter. "Their refusal to provide any assurance of consistent weekly employment in episodic television, the introduction of a 'day rate' in comedy variety, their resistance to compensating screenwriters for their work and their reluctance to address the impact of AI on all writers, all indicate a disregard for the well-being of their labor force. Instead, they are pushing for a freelance model of writing, which is unacceptable to our members."

In response, AMPTP claimed that their counteroffer included "generous" compensation.

The negotiations between the AMPTP and the WGA concluded today without reaching an agreement, according to the trade association. Last night, the AMPTP presented a comprehensive proposal to the Guild, offering generous increases in compensation for writers and improvements in streaming residuals. Although the AMPTP expressed willingness to further enhance the offer, they were unable to do so due to the significant number of other proposals still under consideration by the Guild. The main points of contention are the Guild's proposals for "mandatory staffing" and the "duration of employment," which would require companies to hire a specific number of writers for a predetermined period, regardless of the actual need.

As a result of the ongoing strike, productions such as Abbott Elementary, Yellowjackets, and Saturday Night Live have temporarily halted production. Writer Brittani Nichols, who contributed to episodes of the popular ABC sitcom, revealed that the strike might impact the number of episodes in future seasons.

"We operate with a unique approach of writing while we are on air," Nichols shared during an interview with Democracy Now in May 2023. "If this strike persists for a considerable duration, our show will not adhere to its regular release schedule, potentially leading to a reduction in the number of episodes. Undoubtedly, this would disappoint our loyal audience."

Meanwhile, Ashley Lyle, the creator of Yellowjackets, expressed her disappointment as the writers room had to be shut down after just one day of being back in the office. In a tweet shared in May 2023, the screenwriter said, "It was an incredible experience that fueled our creativity and brought immense joy. I eagerly look forward to resuming work as soon as the WGA secures a fair agreement."

The Duffer Brothers, also known as Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer, recently announced that the anticipated fifth and final season of Stranger Things will not commence production as originally planned. Despite their eagerness to work with their talented cast and crew, the ongoing strike has made it impossible to proceed. The creators of the popular Netflix show expressed their hope for a swift resolution to the strike, allowing everyone to resume their work. In the meantime, let's take a look at other TV shows that have been affected by the 2023 WGA strike.

Credit: ABC/Gilles Mingasson; Will Heath/NBC; Colin Bentley/SHOWTIME

Which TV Shows Will Be Impacted by 2023 Writers Guild of America Strike: From 'Abbott Elementary' to 'Saturday Night Live' to 'Yellowjackets'

Taking a stand. The Writers Guild of America officially authorized a strike in May 2023 — several TV shows have already been affected as a result.

In April 2023, writers and studios made efforts to strike a fresh wage agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers ahead of the expiration of the WGA contract. Unfortunately, negotiations faltered as the WGA advocated for their compensation to incorporate streaming residuals, improved working conditions, and restrictions on the utilization of artificial intelligence technology.

In an open letter, WGA members underscored their commitment to "equitable remuneration that acknowledges the significance of our contributions to the success of companies and incorporates safeguards to ensure the longevity of the writing profession."

The strike was confirmed due to the failure to reach an agreement with AMPTP, the organization representing major networks such as Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Disney, Discovery-Warner, NBC Universal, Paramount, and Sony.

In a letter, it was stated that the companies' actions have resulted in a gig economy within a union workforce. Their uncompromising stance in the negotiation has betrayed their commitment to devalue the profession of writing. They have refused to ensure a minimum level of weekly employment in episodic television, introduced a "day rate" in comedy variety, resisted providing compensation for screenwriters' free work, and opposed the use of AI for all writers. These actions have closed the door on their labor force and transformed writing into a purely freelance profession. The membership finds such a deal unacceptable.

The AMPTP responded by stating that they believed they had offered a substantial amount of compensation in their counteroffer.

Abbott Elementary, Yellowjackets, and Saturday Night Live are among the shows that have halted production due to the ongoing strike. Brittani Nichols, a writer for the popular ABC sitcom, expressed concerns about the potential impact on future seasons' episode count.

In an interview with Democracy Now in May 2023, Nichols explained, "Our show operates on a 'write while we air' schedule. If this strike persists for a substantial duration, it will inevitably disrupt our release timeline and potentially alter the number of episodes. Undoubtedly, this will disappoint many fans."

Yellowjackets creator Ashley Lyle announced a temporary halt to the writers room, expressing her enthusiasm and excitement to resume work once the Writers Guild of America (WGA) reaches a fair agreement. In a tweet made in May 2023, the screenwriter described the experience as amazing, creatively invigorating, and a lot of fun.

Shortly after, Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer, known as The Duffer Brothers, revealed that the production of the fifth and final season of Stranger Things would be delayed. They emphasized the continuation of the writing process even during filming and expressed their eagerness to start production with their talented cast and crew. However, due to the strike, they acknowledged that it was not feasible at the moment. The Duffer Brothers concluded their tweet by expressing hope for a prompt resolution to the strike so that everyone could return to work.

Scroll down to see which TV shows have been impacted by the 2023 WGA strike:

Credit: ABC/Gilles Mingasson

ABC

Abbott Elementary: Writers room for season 3 has shut down

Jimmy Kimmel Live!: Production has shut down 

Credit: Apple+

Apple TV+

Loot: Production has shut down

Metropolis: The planned series has been canceled

Credit: Sonja Flemming/CBS

CBS

The Late Show With Stephen Colbert: Production has shut down 

The Talk: Production has shut down 

Credit: Comedy Central

Comedy Central

The Daily Show: Production has shut down 

Credit: Lucasfilm Ltd.

Disney+

The Mandalorian: Production on season 4 likely delayed

Wonder Man: Production has shut down

Credit: Mitch Haaseth/Disney

Disney Channel

Bunk’d: Production has shut down

Credit: Courtesy of HBO

HBO

Euphoria: Production is delayed on season 3

Real Time With Bill Maher: Production has shut down 

Last Week Tonight With John Oliver: Production has shut down

The Last of Us: Production is halted on season 2

Credit: Karen Ballard/HBO Max

HBO Max

Hacks: Production has shut down 

Credit: Caro Scarimbolo/NBC

NBC

Late Night With Seth Meyers: Production has shut down 

Night Court: Production has shut down 

Saturday Night Live: Production has shut down 

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Production has shut down 

Credit: Curtis Bonds Baker/Netflix

Netflix

Big Mouth: Writers room for season 8 has shut down

Cobra Kai: Writers room for season 6 has shut down

Emily in Paris: Filming on season 4 delayed

Stranger Things: Production for the fifth and final season has shut down

Unstable: Production has shut down  

Credit: Richard Phibbs/Paramount+

Paramount+

Evil: Production has shut down

Credit: Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

Peacock

Hysteria!: Production has been paused  

Credit: Kailey Schwerman/SHOWTIME

Showtime

Yellowjackets: Writers room for season 3 has shut down

Uncoupled: Production has shut down

Credit: Starz

Starz

The Venery of Samantha Bird: Production has shut down 

Power Book III: Raising Kanan: Writers room for season 3 has shut down