Unprecedented Exemptions: TV Shows Defy Strike Impact, Continue Filming with WGA and SAG-AFTRA's Approval

The Hollywood industry was brought to a halt due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike - however, not all TV shows ceased production.

During contract negotiations in July 2023, SAG-AFTRA initiated a strike after the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) failed to address their concerns relating to fair wages, the utilization of artificial intelligence, and other pertinent matters.

The decision was made two months after the Writers Guild of America declared a strike due to a labor dispute with the AMPTP, the organization representing major networks including Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Disney, Discovery-Warner, NBC Universal, Paramount, and Sony. Despite the WGA strike, TV shows like Netflix's Outer Banks continued production as their scripts were believed to be completed. Yet, almost all projects have now halted following the approval of the SAG strike, with a few exceptions.

House of the Dragon, currently filming in the U.K., has been able to continue production because the majority of its cast consists of U.K. actors. As members of Equity, the actors' union, they are prohibited from participating in strikes due to U.K. laws that could result in legal action.

According to Variety, Equity stated in a July 2023 statement to its members, "In the U.K., a performer who joins a strike or refuses to cross a picket line will not be protected against potential dismissal or breach of contract lawsuits from the producer or engager. Similarly, if Equity encourages anyone to join the strike or boycott crossing a picket line, the union would be acting unlawfully and could be held liable for damages or subject to an injunction."

Here are the shows that are continuing production without any interruption despite the ongoing strike:

Credit: HBO Max ; Nick Strasburg/HBO ; Niko Tavernise/Warner Bros. ; The CW

TV Shows That Received Permission to Continue Filming Amid Joint WGA and SAG-AFTRA Strike

Hollywood came to a standstill amid the joint WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike — but not every TV show has stopped filming.

In July 2023, SAG-AFTRA went on strike as the AMPTP, which represents major networks like Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Disney, Discovery-Warner, NBC Universal, Paramount, and Sony, failed to address their concerns about fair wages, the use of artificial intelligence, and other contract negotiation matters. This decision followed two months after the Writers Guild of America announced their own strike due to a labor dispute with the AMPTP.

During the WGA strike, TV shows like Netflix's Outer Banks continued filming as their scripts were believed to be completed. However, following the approval of the SAG strike, most projects paused production, although there were a few exceptions.

One such exception is House of the Dragon, which films in the U.K. The majority of its cast comprises U.K. actors who are members of the union Equity. These actors are prohibited from going on strike due to U.K. laws that could potentially result in legal action.

According to Variety, Equity stated in a July 2023 statement to its members that if a performer decides to join the strike or refuse to cross a picket line in the U.K., they will not be protected against dismissal or legal action for contract violation by the producer or engager. The statement also mentioned that if Equity itself encourages participation in the strike or refusal to cross a picket line, it would be acting unlawfully and could be held liable for damages or an injunction. In a similar vein, Industry and Dune: The Sisterhood decided to follow suit due to their association with Equity.

Scroll on for every show that hasn't hit pause on filming amid the ongoing strike:

Credit: HBO Max

'House of the Dragon' (HBO)

The filming of season 2 of the Game of Thrones prequel is ongoing because the actors involved are bound by their Equity contracts, which prohibit them from participating in strikes in support of the U.S. union. As a result, House of the Dragon, along with any other TV series currently in production, is unable to make any writing edits.

Credit: Nick Strasburg/HBO

'Industry' (HBO)

The HBO series didn't suspend production on season 3 because their talent works under Equity.

Credit: Niko Tavernise/Warner Bros.

'Dune: The Sisterhood' (Max)

The upcoming sci-fi series, which is set in the Dune universe, also follows Equity rules. The union doesn't allow boycotts due to the anti-strike laws in the U.K. 

Credit: The CW

'The Chosen' (The CW)

The Chosen made history in July 2023 as the first TV series to receive a strike exemption. The CW, who acquired the faith-based show after it had completed three seasons, did not disclose the reasons behind their decision to continue production.