The Writers Guild of America strike has been underway since May, but this July, SAG-AFTRA joined the chorus of Hollywood dissenters fed up with outmoded contracts with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). Hollywood is now officially on strike, with production on nearly all AMPTP-associated film and television projects featuring SAG-AFTRA talent at a standstill — and actors are now taking to the picket lines in unity to voice their concerns over residuals, the threat of artificial intelligence, and challenging working conditions from meal breaks to long hours.
Now that SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP failed to achieve a deal on a new minimum bargaining agreement after SAG-AFTRA contracts expired July 12 — even after an initial extension — actors are on full work-stoppage orders. That means no participation in productions or promoting their SAG-AFTRA-certified work, past or present, and that includes press tours and red carpets and festival appearances. (More on what the actors can and can’t do right now here.)
“This is a very seminal hour for us. I went in in earnest thinking that we would be able to avert a strike,” SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher said in a rousing speech announcing the strike on July 13. “The gravity of this move is not lost on me or our negotiating committee, or our board members, who have voted unanimously to proceed with a strike. It’s a very serious thing that impacts thousands if not millions of people all across this country and around the world.”
IndieWire has been reporting on the strikes since Day 1, with actors, writers, filmmakers, and creative talent from above and below the line calling out Hollywood greed and expressing dismay over the AMPTP’s refusal to budge on key issues they’re arguing for.
Films are getting pulled off the release calendar and out of festivals as studios scramble to open their movies without talent on hand to promote them — which is especially dire for top Hollywood brass as we head into the film awards season, and with the Emmys close by on September 18.
Stars of all stripes have come out on the picket lines across the country this summer. In late July, Bryan Cranston hit out at Walt Disney Company CEO over his recent comments on AI and the strike during an impassioned speech at a “Rock the City for a Fair Contract” rally in Times Square. “We’ve got a message for Mr. Iger,” Cranston said. “I know, sir, that you look [at] things through a different lens. We don’t expect you to understand who we are. But we ask you to hear us, and beyond that to listen to us when we tell you we will not be having our jobs taken away and given to robots. We will not have you take away our right to work and earn a decent living. And lastly, and most importantly, we will not allow you to take away our dignity! We are union through and through, all the way to the end!” He was joined by the likes of Steve Buscemi, Wendell Pierce, Christian Slater, Christine Baranski, Stephen Lang, Tituss Burgess, Michael Shannon, BD Wong, Brendan Fraser, Jessica Chastain, Matt Bomer, Chloë Grace Moretz, and Corey Stoll.
Below, check out a photo roundup of actors who’ve been seen on the picket lines this month.
-
Adam Scott
Image Credit: GC Images Adam Scott walks the picket line in support of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strike on August 1, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
-
Anna Kendrick and Larry Karaszewski
Image Credit: Getty Images Actress Anna Kendrick (C) and writer Larry Karaszewski (R) join members and supporters of SAG-AFTRA and WGA on the picket line at Fox Studios on August 01, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
-
Ben Stiller
Image Credit: GC Images Ben Stiller is seen at the SAG-AFTRA strike in Midtown on August 02, 2023 in New York City.
-
Christian Slater
Image Credit: GC Images Christian Slater is seen at the SAG-AFTRA strike in Midtown on August 02, 2023 in New York City.
-
Deborah Messing
Image Credit: GC Images Deborah Messing is seen at the SAG-AFTRA strike in Midtown on August 02, 2023 in New York City.
-
Fran Drescher
Image Credit: GC Images SAG-AFTRA National President Fran Drescher is seen at the SAG-AFTRA rally outside the City Hall in Downtown, Manhattan on August 01, 2023 in New York City.
-
Jesse Plemons
Image Credit: GC Images Jesse Plemons walks the picket line in support of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strike on August 1, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
-
Mandy Moore and Jon Huertas
Image Credit: GC Images Mandy Moore and Jon Huertas walk the picket line in support of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strike on August 1, 2023 in Burbank, California.
-
Abby Kohn and Max Greenfield
Image Credit: Getty Images Director Abby Kohn and Max Greenfield join the picket line at Paramount Picture Studios on July 31, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
-
Octavia Spencer
Image Credit: AFP via Getty Images Octavia Spencer joins members of the Writers Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild as they walk a picket line outside of Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California, on August 1, 2023.
-
Sean Penn
Image Credit: GC Images Sean Penn walks the picket line in support of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strike on August 1, 2023 in Burbank, California.
-
Seth Green
Image Credit: Getty Images Seth Green joins members and supporters of SAG-AFTRA and WGA on the picket line at Fox Studios on August 01, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
-
David Harbour
Image Credit: John Nacion David Harbour joins SAG-AFTRA members as they maintain picket lines across New York City during strike on July 31, 2023 in New York City.
-
Jack Black
Image Credit: GC Images Jack Black walks the picket line in support of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strike on July 28, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by BLW Media/Star Max/GC Images)
-
Jane Fonda
Image Credit: GC Images Jane Fonda is seen talking with SAG-AFTRA and WGA members during the strike outside of Paramount studios on July 28, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
-
Jason Sudeikis
Image Credit: Getty Images Jason Sudeikis joins Writers Guild of America East (WGA) to walk the picket line on day 87 during a ‘comedy writers rally’ outside of NBC Rockefeller Center on July 27, 2023 in New York City.
-
John Oliver
Image Credit: GC Images John Oliver is seen at the SAG-AFTRA strike in Midtown on July 27, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Gotham/GC Images)
-
Joy Sunday
Image Credit: John Nacion NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 31: Joy Sunday joins SAG-AFTRA members as they maintain picket lines across New York City during strike on July 31, 2023 in New York City.
-
Krysten Ritter
Image Credit: GC Images Krysten Ritter walks the picket line in support of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strike on July 27, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
-
Lucy Liu
Image Credit: GC Images Lucy Liu is seen picketing with SAG-AFTRA and WGA members outside of Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery on July 31, 2023 in New York, New York.
-
Mariska Hargitay
Image Credit: GC Images Mariska Hargitay and Peter Hermann are seen picketing with SAG-AFTRA and WGA members outside Netflix HQ/Warner Bros. Discovery on July 26, 2023 in New York, New York.
-
Abby Kohn and Max Greenfield
Image Credit: Getty Images Director Abby Kohn and Max Greenfield join the picket line at Paramount Picture Studios on July 31, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
-
Paul Giamatti
Image Credit: John Nacion Paul Giamatti joins SAG-AFTRA members as they maintain picket lines across New York City during strike on July 31, 2023 in New York City.
-
Seth Rogen
Image Credit: Getty Images Seth Rogen joins the picket line at Paramount Picture Studios on July 31, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
-
Ziwe
Image Credit: GC Images Ziwe is seen at the SAG-AFTRA strike in Midtown on July 27, 2023 in New York City.
-
Carla Gugino and Lucy Liu
Image Credit: John Nacion Carla Gugino and Lucy Liu join SAG-AFTRA members as they maintain picket lines across New York City during strike on July 31, 2023 in New York City.
-
Colin Farrell and Tory Kittles
Image Credit: GC Images Colin Farrell and Tory Kittles walk the picket line in support of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strike on July 26, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
-
Neil Brown Jr., Shea Whigham, and Colin Farrell
Image Credit: GC Images Neil Brown Jr., Shea Whigham and Colin Farrell walk the picket line in support of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strike on July 26, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
-
Brendan Fraser and Christine Baranski
Image Credit: GC Images Brendan Fraser and Christine Baranski are seen at the SAG-AFTRA strike rally in Times Square, Manhattan on July 25, 2023 in New York City.
-
Bryan Cranston
Image Credit: Getty Images Bryan Cranston attends as SAG-AFTRA members hold “Rock The City For A Fair Contract” rally in Times Square on July 25, 2023 in New York City.
-
Stephen Lang, Lauren Ambrose, and Chloe Grace Moretz
Image Credit: Getty Images Stephen Lang, Lauren Ambrose, and Chloe Grace Moretz as SAG-AFTRA members hold “Rock The City For A Fair Contract” rally in Times Square on July 25, 2023 in New York City.
-
Christian Slater
Image Credit: Getty Images Christian Slater speaks as SAG-AFTRA members hold “Rock The City For A Fair Contract” rally in Times Square on July 25, 2023 in New York City.
-
Christine Baranski
Image Credit: Getty Images Christine Baranski speaks as SAG-AFTRA members hold “Rock The City For A Fair Contract” rally in Times Square on July 25, 2023 in New York City.
-
Christopher Meloni
Image Credit: Getty Images Christopher Meloni attends as SAG-AFTRA members hold “Rock The City For A Fair Contract” rally in Times Square on July 25, 2023 in New York City.
-
Ellen Burstyn and Jessica Chastain
Image Credit: Getty Images Ellen Burstyn and Jessica Chastain attend as SAG-AFTRA members hold “Rock The City For A Fair Contract” rally in Times Square on July 25, 2023 in New York City.
-
Jill Hennessy, Bryan Cranston, BD Wong, Brendan Fraser, Michelle Hurd, and Lea DeLaria
Image Credit: GC Images NEW YORK, NY – JULY 25: Jill Hennessy, Bryan Cranston, BD Wong, Brendan Fraser, Michelle Hurd, Lea DeLaria are seen at the SAG-AFTRA strike rally in Times Square, Manhattan on July 25, 2023 in New York City.
-
Lauren Ambrose
Image Credit: Getty Images Lauren Ambrose attends as SAG-AFTRA members hold “Rock The City For A Fair Contract” rally in Times Square on July 25, 2023 in New York City.
-
Arian Moayed
Image Credit: GC Images Arian Moayed is seen at the SAG-AFTRA strike rally in Times Square, Manhattan on July 25, 2023 in New York City.
-
Tony Goldwyn
Image Credit: Getty Images Tony Goldwyn attends as SAG-AFTRA members hold “Rock The City For A Fair Contract” rally in Times Square on July 25, 2023 in New York City.
-
Lea DeLaria
Image Credit: Getty Images Lea DeLaria attends as SAG-AFTRA members hold “Rock The City For A Fair Contract” rally in Times Square on July 25, 2023 in New York City.
-
Melissa Joan Hart
Image Credit: Getty Images Melissa Joan Hart attends as SAG-AFTRA members hold “Rock The City For A Fair Contract” rally in Times Square on July 25, 2023 in New York City.
-
Michael Shannon
Image Credit: Getty Images Michael Shannon attends as SAG-AFTRA members hold “Rock The City For A Fair Contract” rally in Times Square on July 25, 2023 in New York City.
-
Steve Buscemi, Chloe Grace Moretz, Rachel Zegler, Lauren Ambrose, and Corey Stoll
Image Credit: GC Images Steve Buscemi, Chloe Grace Moretz, Rachel Zegler, Lauren Ambrose and Corey Stoll are seen at the SAG-AFTRA strike rally in Times Square, Manhattan on July 25, 2023 in New York City.
-
Steve Buscemi
Image Credit: Getty Images Steve Buscemi attends as SAG-AFTRA members hold “Rock The City For A Fair Contract” rally in Times Square on July 25, 2023 in New York City.
-
Tituss Burgess
Image Credit: GC Images Tituss Burgess is seen at the SAG-AFTRA strike rally in Times Square, Manhattan on July 25, 2023 in New York City.
-
Susan Sarandon
Image Credit: Getty Images Susan Sarandon joins SAG-AFTRA members on the picket line outside of Netflix and Warner Bros. on July 21, 2023 in New York City.
-
Sarah Silverman
Image Credit: GC Images Sarah Silverman walks the picket line in support of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strike on July 20, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
-
Rosario Dawson
Image Credit: GC Images Rosario Dawson walks the picket line in support of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strike on July 19, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
-
Jack Quaid
Image Credit: GC Images Jack Quaid walks the picket line in support of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strike on July 19, 2023 in New York City.
-
Awkwafina
Image Credit: Getty Images Awkwafina joins members of the Writers Guild of America East and SAG-AFTRA as they walk the picket line on Day 5 outside Netflix on July 17, 2023 in New York City.
-
Brian Cox
Image Credit: Future Publishing via Getty Imag “Succession” star Brian Cox addresses members of the entertainment trade union Equity and supporters during a rally in Leicester Square in solidarity with striking U.S. actors in London, United Kingdom on July 21, 2023.
-
Sandra Bernhard
Image Credit: GC Images Sandra Bernhard is seen at the SAG-AFTRA picket line in downtown Manhattan on July 24, 2023 in New York City.
-
Samantha Hanratty
Image Credit: GC Images “Yellowjackets” star Samantha Hanratty walks the picket line in support of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strike on July 20, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
-
Michael Imperioli, Steve Schirripa, and Kevin Wade
Image Credit: GC Images Michael Imperioli, Steve Schirripa, and Kevin Wade are seen walking the picket line with striking WGA and SAG-AFTRA members July 20, 2023 in New York City.
-
Lupita Nyong’o
Image Credit: GC Images Lupita Nyong’o is seen walking the picket line with striking WGA and SAG-AFTRA members July 20, 2023 in New York City.
-
Kiernan Shipka
Image Credit: Variety via Getty Images Kiernan Shipka walks the picket line on Day 5 in support of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strike at Paramount Pictures Studio on July 17, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
-
Kevin Bacon
Image Credit: Getty Images Kevin Bacon and SAG-AFTRA members and supporters protest as the SAG-AFTRA Actors Union Strike continues on Day 5 in front of Paramount Studios at 1515 Broadway on July 17, 2023 in New York City.
-
Tommy Dorfman
Image Credit: Getty Images Tommy Dorfman (center) joins SAG-AFTRA members on the picket line outside of Netflix and Warner Bros on July 21, 2023 in New York City.
-
John Carroll Lynch
Image Credit: Getty Images John Carroll Lynch joins SAG-AFTRA members on the picket line outside of Netflix and Warner Bros. on July 20, 2023 in New York City.
-
Jason Sudeikis
Image Credit: AFP via Getty Images Jason Sudeikis joins members of the Writers Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild as they walk a picket line on Day 1 outside NBC Universal in New York City on July 14, 2023.
-
Jameela Jamil
Image Credit: GC Images Jameela Jamil walks the picket line in support of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strike on July 21, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
-
Hilary Duff
Image Credit: Variety via Getty Images Hilary Duff walks the picket line on Day 5 in support of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strike at Paramount Pictures Studio on July 17, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
-
“Succession” Stars Alan Ruck and Justine Lupe
Image Credit: Variety via Getty Images Alan Ruck and Justine Lupe are seen with members of SAG-AFTRA on the picket line in support of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strike at Warner Bros. on July 18, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
-
Hasan Minhaj
Image Credit: Getty Images Hasan Minhaj joins SAG-AFTRA members on the picket line outside of Netflix and Warner Bros. on July 21, 2023 in New York City.
-
Denis O’Hare
Image Credit: Getty Images Denis O’Hare joins SAG-AFTRA members on the picket line outside of 30 Rockefeller Plaza on July 20, 2023 in New York City.
-
Daniel Radcliffe and His Family
Image Credit: Getty Images Daniel Radcliffe, his partner Erin Darke, and their child join the picket line in New York City on July 21, 2023 in New York City.
-
Daniel Dae Kim
Image Credit: Getty Images Daniel Dae Kim joins SAG-AFTRA members and supporters on the picket line in front of Amazon/HBO at 450 W 33 Street as the SAG-AFTRA Actors Union strike continues on July 20, 2023 in New York City.
-
Cynthia Nixon
Image Credit: GC Images Cynthia Nixon walks the picket line in support of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strike on July 21, 2023 in New York City.
-
Christine Baranski
Image Credit: GC Images Christine Baranski is seen walking the picket line with striking WGA and SAG-AFTRA members July 20, 2023 in New York City.
-
F. Murray Abraham
Image Credit: Getty Images F. Murray Abraham joins the picket line as the SAG-AFTRA Actors Union Strike continues in front of Netflix on July 24, 2023 in New York City.
-
Christian Slater
Image Credit: Getty Images Christian Slater joins SAG-AFTRA members on the picket line outside of Netflix and Warner Bros. on July 20, 2023 in New York City.
-
Annette Bening
Image Credit: GC Images Annette Bening walks the picket line in support of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strike on July 21, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
-
America Ferrera and Ryan Piers Williams
Image Credit: GC Images America Ferrera and Ryan Piers Williams walk the picket line in support of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strike on July 19, 2023 in New York City.
-
Allison Janney
Image Credit: GC Images Allison Janney walks the picket line in support of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strike on July 20, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.