The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has gone on strike for the first time in 15 years, resulting in picket lines in Hollywood and New York. The strike demands fair pay and compensation, as well as job stability for writers. Until the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) meets these demands, various shows, including some popular queer series, will be put on hold.
Affected Queer Shows: A Comprehensive List
Abbott Elementary, written by Brittani Nichols, is one of the affected shows. Nichols recently told Democracy Now that the industry prioritizes Wall Street over its workers. If the strike continues, she says, it could impact the number of episodes in the upcoming season.
Netflix’s Big Mouth is another series impacted by the strike. The writing for the show’s eighth and final season was six weeks in and would have finished in August if not for the strike. Similarly, the third season of the comedy Hacks is on hold, with filming halted until the strike resolves.
Saturday Night Live, featuring queer stars Bowen Yang and Molly Kearney, has announced it will air repeats until further notice. The show has canceled episodes that were to be hosted by Pete Davidson, Kieran Culkin, and Jennifer Coolidge. Co-creator of Yellowjackets, Ashley Lyle, tweeted about the strike’s effect on the show, expressing excitement to resume work once the WGA reaches a fair deal.
As the WGA strike continues, the future of these beloved queer shows remains uncertain. However, fans and the LGBT community are willing to wait, understanding the importance of fair compensation and job security for the writers who bring these stories to life.