TV writers across Hollywood have been on a historic strike since May, successfully paralysing the entertainment industry.
Thousands of creatives took a stand and headed to picket lines outside studio buildings for months in protest of the unfair pay they receive, despite the huge amount of money their work makes for the entertainment studios that hire them.
Further explaining the dire need for change, creator of Netflix’s animated series BoJack Horseman, Raphael Bob-Waksberg, had told NBC Nightly News: “We want more money. We want enough money to make a basic living doing what we love.
“I think we’re getting to the point where it’s going to be that the only people who can afford to try to start a career in television or movies are going to be people who are independently wealthy already, which I don’t think is good for television or movies. I don’t think we want that.”
Hollywood actors showed their support and even ended up going on strike themselves.
As intended, the strikes caused a long list of productions to be paused, including the Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon, the final season of Stranger Things, and others.
Now, it has been revealed that union leaders and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, the group that represents studios, streaming services, and production companies in negotiations have been able to reach a tentative deal.
The three-year contract agreement is yet to be approved by the guild’s board and members before the strike officially concludes but has meant that a number of television shows will be able to resume production and return to screens.
Here is a look at the TV shows you can expect to make a return.
The WGA and AMPTP have reached a tentative agreement. This was made possible by the enduring solidarity of WGA members and extraordinary support of our union siblings who stood with us for over 146 days. More details coming after contract language is finalized. #WGAStrike pic.twitter.com/GBg2wZBwGB
— Writers Guild of America West (@WGAWest) September 25, 2023
Primetime chat shows
Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert, and Seth Meyers are among the chat show hosts who will be able to get their shows back on the small screen.
With production resuming, audiences could get new instalments as early as October.
Daytime shows
Daytime shows, like The Drew Barrymore Show, The Talk, and The Jennifer Hudson Show will also be able to make new episodes.
Drew Barrymore recently had to pause her show after receiving backlash for premiering it amid the strikes.
The 48-year-old issued a public apology, saying: “I have listened to everyone and I am making the decision to pause the show’s premiere until the strike is over.
“I have no words to express my deepest apologies to anyone I have hurt and, of course, to our incredible team who works on the show and has made it what it is today.
“We really tried to find our way forward. And I truly hope for a resolution for the entire industry very soon.”
Television series
A number of shows are likely to get their writers back thanks to the tentative deal.
The TV shows expected to put their production hats back on are:
- The Last of Us
- Billions
- Stranger Things
- The Handmaid’s Tale
- Hacks
- Severance
- Yellowjackets
- Abbott Elementary
However, given the fact that the actors’ strike isn’t over yet, these shows won’t be able to start filming the scripts produced by writers.
