Viewers face two-year wait for some shows to return after Hollywood strike
Australian viewers will face a two-year wait for some of television’s blockbuster shows to return as the Hollywood strikes enter their third month. See what’s affected.
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Viewers face a frustrating two-year wait for some of television’s blockbuster shows to return as the Hollywood actor and writer strikes enter their third month.
The third season of Foxtel and Binge smash series Euphoria has yet to go into production due to the ongoing industrial action and won’t be seen until 2025.
Writing and production on a raft of streaming favourites has been halted indefinitely including Stranger Things, The Diplomat, Hacks, Emily In Paris, The Last Of Us, Yellowjackets and the Game of Thrones spin-off series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight.
The cancellation of Metropolis – Sam Esmail’s years-in-the making Apple TV+ adaptation of the classic 1927 sci-fi film – sent shockwaves through the entertainment capital as the highest-profile, confirmed casualty of the growing uncertainty in the US.
AppleTV+’s Morning Wars and Lessons in Chemistry, and Netflix’s Sex Education, Bridgerton Series 3 and the final season of The Crown are all slated for this last quarter.
Their on-air premiere dates may still go ahead but If the strikes persist over the coming weeks, cast members won’t be available for publicity.
Several shows have already pushed their scheduled returns to our screens.
One week before its scheduled August 10 comeback, the second season of Issa Rae’s Rap Sh! t – due to air on Binge here – was pushed to November 9.
The new premiere date signals a glimmer of hope on the studio’s part that the labour conflicts will be resolved by then, meaning talent will be able to help generate buzz.
But Blue Bloods, The Boys, The Cleaning Lady, Grey’s Anatomy and its spin-off Station 19 have all been pushed back indefinitely.
Fans had already had a long wait for the third season of the Emmy and Golden Globe-Euphoria, announced in 2022 and will be counting the long months before it airs again in 2025. The show faced another sad blow when cast member Angus Cloud died suddenly last month.
HBO executive Francesca Orsi told Deadline: “Euphoria is one of those that we had begun writing in tandem with post-production on (The Idol) but at this point, we don’t have countless scripts.
“We can’t start shooting, so the delivery of that show — ideally in 2025 — will be determined on when we can pick back up with Sam (Levinson).”
There is a silver lining in the could of the American strikes; Australian productions will have boosted potential to shine without the competition of the usually cluttered global release calendar.
Originally airing on ABC, Fisk’s first season was released on Netflix this month, instantly hooking audiences worldwide with its comedic brilliance.
Created by comedian Kitty Flanagan, who won back-to-back Most Popular Actress awards at last month’s Logies, Fisk has smashed into the streaming giant’s weekly Global Top 10 alongside Heartstopper and The Witcher. It’s also in the Top 10 in 11 countries around the world including the USA, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and the UK.
Prime Video’s Amazon original adaptation of Holly Ringland’s bestseller, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart saw the biggest global opening weekend viewership for any Australian launch.
Its red carpet premiere – which would have seen Hollywood star Sigourney Weaver reunite with her local castmates including Asher Keddie, Leah Purcell, Tilda Cobham-Hervey and Alycia Debnam Carey – was toned down to a more intimate screening for fans, following the July 14 announcement that actors would join the picket lines in solidarity with writers.
The seven-episode series has reached the top five in 78 countries including Australia, New Zealand, US, Canada, South Africa and the Netherlands, and top 3 in 42 countries, since launching on August 4.
Amazon Studios senior development executive Sarah Christie said 2023 is the biggest year yet for local content for Prime Video. The streamer has nine Australian Amazon Originals releasing this year, with Hot Potato: the Story of The Wiggles still to come.
“The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart is a sweeping, raw and emotional drama that spans generations, and we are thrilled that the series is already gripping audiences around the globe as the secrets and mystery of Alice Hart and her family unfold.”
Made Up Stories producers Jodi Matterson and Bruna Papandrea knew immediately after reading the book, published by Harper Collins Australia, that they had to make the TV adaptation.
“We are passionate about taking Australian stories to a global audience, so it’s incredibly rewarding to see The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart become a worldwide success,” they said.
“The talent and dedication from all the cast and crew led by director Glendyn Ivin and showrunner Sarah Lambert was unparalleled at every point.”
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