No deal on Hollywood actors contract as deadline passes, strike vote to be held soon

SAG-AFTRA leadership will take vote on strike on Thursday as they have reached no deal with studios/streamers

The union representing film and television actors has said that no deal has been reached with studios and streaming services, and that its leadership will vote on whether to strike later on Thursday.

The Screen Actors Guild -American Federation of Television and Radio Artists said early Thursday that its decision on whether to join already striking screenwriters will be weighed upon by leadership at a meeting later Thursday.

If the actors go on strike, it will be the first time since 1960 that actors and writers picket film and television productions.

The actors' guild released a statement early Thursday announcing that its deadline for negotiations to conclude had ended without a contract. The statement came hours after this year's Emmy nominations, recognizing the best work on television, were announced.

“The companies have refused to meaningfully engage on some topics and on others completely stonewalled us. Until they do negotiate in good faith, we cannot begin to reach a deal,” said Fran Drescher, the now president of actors' guild. There was no immediate word from the studios' negotiating group.

The actors' guild has previously authorized a strike by a nearly 98% margin. If the actors strike, they will formally join screenwriters on the picket lines outside studios and filming locations in a bid to get better terms from studios and streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon.

Members of the Writers Guild of America have been on strike since early May, slowing the production of film and television series on both coasts and in production centers like Atlanta.