Hollywood writers and studios reach ‘tentative’ deal to end WGA strike

Negotiators have finally reached a “tentative deal” after five months of strikes, which would signal the long-awaited return of Hollywood productions.

The Writers Guild of America has reached a “tentative deal” with studios and streamers following months of strike action.

After spending 146 days on the picket lines, the WGA has negotiated an “exceptional” new three-year contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) – the group representing studios and streamers – The Hollywood Reporter claims.

While there’s little detail about what the contract entails, negotiators are optimistic it will end the writers’ strike which has brought Hollywood to a complete standstill, after actors concurrently went on strike in July.

Margot Robbie joined strike action alongside SAG-AFTRA members in West Hollywood earlier this month. Picture: Giles Harrison /London Entertainment / SplashNews.com

Following five consecutive days of negotiations, the WGA and AMPTP came to a loose agreement on Sunday, US time.

It’s expected more information will come to light in coming days as WGA needs its 11,500 members to ratify the deal. It must also be given the all-clear by the WGA board before the strike officially comes to an end.

WGA representatives emailed members shortly after reaching a new 2023 Minimum Basic Agreement (MBA).

Striking WGA (Writers Guild of America) members picket with striking SAG-AFTRA members outside Netflix studios this past weekend as negotiations got underway. Picture: MARIO TAMA / GETTY

“We can say, with great pride, that this deal is exceptional – with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of the membership,” a letter from WGA read.

“What remains now is for our staff to make sure everything we have agreed to is codified in final contract language. And though we are eager to share the details of what has been achieved with you, we cannot do that until the last ‘i’ is dotted.”

Writers have been on strike since May 2 after over six weeks of negotiations with major studios including Netflix, Apple, Amazon and Disney failed to reach a resolution.

The WGA was soon bolstered by the support of actors, with the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) kicking off July 14.

SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher announces the strike in July. Picture: MARIO TAMA / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

The SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes have seen several big-budget film and TV productions delayed, as well as the Emmy Awards - which were due to take place this month.

While writers may soon be able to get back to work, which would allow certain productions to resume, the actors strike is still ongoing.

Discussions between SAG-AFTRA members and Hollywood studios are yet to resume, though the WGA contract would surely trigger talks.

Writers were pushing for greater compensation amid the rise of streaming, including fair residuals in line with a shows’ popularity.

However, studios were wanting to cut labor costs amid the cost of living crisis.

Among the productions stalled amid the strikes include Netflix’s Stranger Things, Gladiator 2 and Deadpool 3.