Trans actor Tommy Dorfman, renowned for her portrayal of Ryan Shaver in the hit Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, has spoken candidly about the financial challenges she faced during the show’s initial season. As the streaming industry grapples with an unprecedented strike led jointly by the Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and Writers Guild of America, Tommy’s story highlights the issue of unfair pay within the sector.
The SAG-AFTRA strike has brought together 11,500 writers and a staggering 160,000 actors in their pursuit of addressing not only pay disparities but also regulations surrounding the use of AI in the entertainment realm. Iconic productions like Wicked and Stranger Things are experiencing filming halts due to the widespread support the strike has garnered, with prominent figures from the industry, including Tommy Dorfman, openly discussing their income struggles.
In a poignant Threads post, Tommy Dorfman laid bare the stark reality of her earnings from the first season of 13 Reasons Why. Prior to agency and manager fees, taxes, and despite arduous promotional efforts and unpaid work, she earned a meager sum of $29,953.24 for eight episodes spread over six months. This amount was barely sufficient to qualify for insurance, while the series accumulated an astounding 476 million view hours within just 28 days of its release.
Tommy Dorfman’s support for the SAG-AFTRA strike has been unwavering, and she was among the actors photographed on the picket line outside major industry players Netflix and Warner Bros. Her personal sacrifice in taking on the role of Ryan Shaver becomes even more poignant as she disclosed that her experience might have led her to embrace her identity as a trans woman sooner had it not been for the commitment to the series.
The ongoing strike has also seen criticism directed at streaming giant Netflix, whose substantial net income of nearly $4.25 billion (£3.3 billion) over the past year contrasts with the alleged inadequate pay received by actors, including those from Orange is the New Black. A-list stars, such as Sean Gunn, Mandy Moore, and Natasha Lyonne, have also voiced their support for the strike, emphasizing its importance in achieving equitable working conditions within the industry.
Additionally, prominent figures within the LGBTQ community, like Drag Race’s Jinkx Monsoon, have called on fellow queer actors and drag artists to stand in solidarity with the strike, underscoring the significance of collective action in tackling pay inequality. As the strike presses forward, the global entertainment landscape is witnessing a historic movement to ensure fair treatment and remuneration for all industry professionals.