Suits Writer's Astonishing Streaming Success: A Mind-Blowing Tale of Meager Residuals

Summary

Despite the record-breaking success of Suits on streaming platforms like Netflix, the writer, Ethan Drogin, earned only $259.71 from streaming residuals.

Drogin's meager pay for scriptwriting for a widely acclaimed series reveals the primary grievances leading to the ongoing strike among writers and actors in Hollywood. Drogin contends that the minimal residuals received from streaming services fail to provide any substantial benefits in terms of financial remuneration.

According to writer Ethan Drogin, despite the immense popularity of Suits on streaming platforms, he received less than $300 in residuals. Even though the show concluded in 2019, Suits experienced a significant resurgence on Netflix and Peacock after being added to their libraries. Recently, the series set a new streaming record by accumulating the highest number of minutes viewed for an acquired program on streaming platforms.

In a piece for the Los Angeles Times, Drogin discloses that he only received $259.71 from the exceptional success of Suits. The amount he earned pertains specifically to season 1, episode 8 titled "Identity Crisis." Drogin points out that such low compensation is one reason why writers and actors in Hollywood are currently going on strike. Here is an excerpt from Drogin's writing:

The show's increased viewership on Netflix this summer is definitely pleasing. As a writer and actor, I always hope for the longevity of my work. Having spent eight out of nine seasons working on "Suits" has been a source of gratitude for me. However, receiving a payment of $259.71 for creating a show with such a massive audience is the reason why writers and actors are currently on strike. This is also why SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher has referred to this system as "un-American".

Entertainment executives argue that they have offered writers significant pay raises. However, even a 100% increase on a $259.71 check is still far from enough to cover most people's rent. Even in the best-case scenario, such as with "Suits", streaming platforms offer no benefits for writers and actors in terms of compensation that aligns with their contributions and the level of success achieved.

How Suits Residuals Reflect Hollywood’s Ongoing Strikes

Drogin's explicit mention of the ongoing writers' and actors' strikes in Hollywood demonstrates the correlation between his Suits residuals and the ongoing fight of his fellow writers. The writers in Hollywood are currently on strike, in part due to the insufficient streaming residuals that fail to reflect the success of the shows they have contributed to. Drogin's personal earnings from streaming residuals emphasize the insignificance of such earnings.

Furthermore, Suits is achieving unprecedented success on platforms like Netflix and Peacock, emerging as a widespread phenomenon with billions of minutes of viewership. Consequently, Drogin's reported earnings from Suits residuals surpass those of most writers who have worked on other streamed shows and movies. By discussing this matter in his article, Drogin draws attention to the meager financial returns that writers receive from streaming, even when their shows attain immense popularity.

The ongoing writers' and actors' strikes have raised doubts about any imminent changes to streaming residuals. However, Hollywood's creative professionals are persistently pushing for better compensation, AI regulation, and adjustments to streaming residuals, indicating potential changes on the horizon. Regrettably, Drogin and other Suits writers may not reap the benefits of these prospective changes during the show's peak popularity.