Netflix's Diminishing Residual Checks Leave 'Suits' Writers Disheartened Amid Soaring Popularity
The writers of 'Suits' express disappointment as the show gains popularity on Netflix but fails to reflect in substantial residual checks
Despite Suits' recent surge in popularity on streaming platforms, the show's writers are dissatisfied with their earnings, alleging that the success has not translated into higher paychecks. Lilla and Nora Zuckerman, sisters and former writers and producers for seasons 4 and 5 of the USA Network series, analyzed their recent residual earnings to shed light on the ongoing strike by writers and actors in Hollywood.
Lilla informed Decider that she earned a total of $12,568.57 in residuals for the episode "Blowback" from Season 5 in 2016. She speculated that the episode was likely sold internationally and aired again on USA. In an interview published on Thursday, August 10, she mentioned that in 2023, when Suits had accumulated billions of hours of viewership on Netflix, she received a meager sum of $414.26 for that particular episode.
Although Suits concluded its ninth and final season in 2019, the legal drama has experienced a significant resurgence in popularity since its move to Netflix in June. The streaming platform now hosts the show's first eight seasons, while Peacock offers the entire series. In the week of June 29, Suits achieved a streaming chart record for an acquired title by accumulating over 3 billion minutes of viewership on both platforms, according to Nielsen.
Nora and Lilla acknowledge the impressive numbers, but they have not witnessed a substantial increase in their residual payments. Lilla finds it challenging to navigate through numerous checks, ranging from $7 to $30, among others. Despite Suits' popularity on two major streaming platforms, Lilla received a mere $414 for her contribution to this blockbuster hit. Nora chimed in, expressing her disappointment, stating that she held onto hope for a miraculous check that has yet to materialize. Overall, they both resonate with a feeling of sadness regarding their residual payments.
Nora Zuckerman and Lilla Zuckerman. John Salangsang/Shutterstock
The insufficient residual payments have caused a standoff between the Writers Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. With the rise of streaming as a primary form of TV consumption, residual payments have decreased, prompting WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikers to seek a better contract with AMPTP.
The Zuckermans are not alone in expressing discontent over their meager residual payments. Mandy Moore recently disclosed receiving "very tiny, like, 81-cent checks" for her role in the highly successful show This Is Us, which originally aired on NBC.
"The issue of residuals is of great magnitude," expressed Moore, 39, during his participation in a SAG-AFTRA picket line in Los Angeles, as he shared with The Hollywood Reporter. "As fortunate working actors, we have experienced tremendous success through our shows in various forms... however, previous generations of actors in similar positions were able to sustain themselves by relying on residuals or, at the very least, afford their expenses."
