Seth MacFarlane exits Family Guy amid ongoing Hollywood writers’ strike

Hollywood writer and producer Seth MacFarlane has stepped away from production of his popular programs amid the contentious writers’ strike.

Family Guy and American Dad! creator Seth MacFarlane has stepped away from production of his popular programs amid the ongoing, contentious Hollywood writers’ strike.

The 49-year-old and his showrunners – Brian Boyle, Matt Weitzman, Rich Appel and Alec Sulkin – walked out in support of the ongoing Writers Guild of America (WGA) work stoppage, Deadline recently reported, as per the New York Post.

Seth MacFarlane has temporarily exited Family Guy and American Dad! due to the ongoing writers’ strike in Hollywood. Picture: Jerod Harris/Getty Images/AFP

The producer and writer also participated in the Hollywood writers’ strike in 2007 and 2008. Picture: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Turner.

MacFarlane – who has voiced Family Guy characters including Peter, Brian and Stewie Griffin, and American Dad! lead Stan Smith – reportedly has no plans to return until an agreement between the WGA and his studio, 20th Television, is reached.

Family Guy wrapped up its 21st season on Fox on May 7, however, MacFarlane’s popular American Dad! is two months into its 20th season, which premiered March 27 on TBS.

The latter has three months of scripts and voiceovers already in the can, according to Deadline, and the studio would need to devise a plan for moving forward with the rest of the season.

Seth MacFarlane is the creator behind Family Guy. Picture: 20th Century Fox

MacFarlane’s American Dad! is two months into its 20th season. Picture: 20th Century Fox

Neither MacFarlane nor his Fuzzy Door Productions received a suspension letter from NBCUniversal, the publication claimed.

The Emmy Award winner participated in the 2007 to 2008 writers’ strike that lasted 100 days, so rejoining the movement 15 years later might not come as much of a shock.

The New York Post has reached out to MacFarlane’s representatives for comment.

On May 2, the WGA announced that its members in California, New York and other cities would refuse to work after the union and studios disagreed on a new three-year contract after their current one expired.

Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike on the streets of New York on May 16. Picture: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images/AFP

Writers hold signs while picketing in front of Paramount Studios in LA on May 15. Picture: Frederic J. Brown/AFP

Many Americans’ favourite television shows – including Abbott Elementary, Stranger Things and House of Dragon, among many others – were impacted by the strike.

However, WGA members recently decided to not picket the 2023 Tony Awards on June 12 amid their ongoing walkout.

“Tony Awards Productions (a joint venture of the Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing) has communicated with us that they are altering this year’s show to conform with specific requests from the WGA, and therefore the WGA will not be picketing the show,” an organisation statement said.

This article originally appeared in the New York Post and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as Seth MacFarlane exits Family Guy amid ongoing Hollywood writers’ strike