14 Movies and TV Shows Affected by the Writers' Strike

All the most talented actors, sophisticated sets, and production expenses in the world can't save a poorly written show. (For reference, see the "Game of Thrones" season eight finale.) Our favorite movies and TV shows would be nothing without good writing — and that's exactly what the Writers Guild of America (WGA) has been making clear since it went on strike on May 2.

The strike follows months of failed negotiations between the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). "Though our Negotiating Committee began this process intent on making a fair deal, the studios' responses have been wholly insufficient given the existential crisis writers are facing," the WGA Twitter account wrote on the first day of the strike. Soon after news of the strike broke, stars including Drew Barrymore and Quinta Brunson voiced their support, with Barrymore dropping out of her hosting gig at the MTV Movie & TV Awards in solidarity.

During a writers' strike, writers halt all writing, pitching, and searching for work, meaning many highly anticipated shows have been delayed. Some incomplete shows with finished scripts have also been put on pause, because writers generally remain on set and make adjustments as needed over the course of the filming process. It's not clear how these pauses will affect each show; it's possible some might be delayed by just weeks or months, depending on the length of the strike, while others may shorten their new seasons or could fail to resume at all.

Ahead, see if your favorite show has been put on pause due to the strike.

01
Movies and TV Shows Affected by the Writers' Strike: "Yellowjackets"
Everett Collection

Movies and TV Shows Affected by the Writers' Strike: "Yellowjackets"

The writers' strike has officially delayed "Yellowjackets" season three, with the writers' room shutting down just a day after convening for the first time. In response, showrunner Ashley Lyle tweeted, "Well, we had exactly one day in the #YellowJackets S3 writers' room. It was amazing, and creatively invigorating, and so much fun, and I'm very excited to get back to it as soon as the #WGA gets a fair deal. #1u #unionstrong."

Well, we had exactly one day in the #YellowJackets S3 writers' room. It was amazing, and creatively invigorating, and so much fun, and I'm very excited to get back to it as soon as the #WGA gets a fair deal. #1u #unionstrong ✊🐝

— Ashley Lyle (@ashannlyle) May 2, 2023

02
Movies and TV Shows Affected by the Writers' Strike: "Stranger Things"
Everett Collection

Movies and TV Shows Affected by the Writers' Strike: "Stranger Things"

Production on the fifth and final season of "Stranger Things" has also been halted due to the strike. "Writing does not stop when filming begins," showrunners Matt and Ross Duffer wrote on Twitter on May 6. "While we're excited to start production with our amazing cast and crew, it is not possible during this strike. We hope a fair deal is reached soon so we can all get back to work. Until then — over and out. #wgastrong."

Duffers here. Writing does not stop when filming begins. While we're excited to start production with our amazing cast and crew, it is not possible during this strike. We hope a fair deal is reached soon so we can all get back to work. Until then -- over and out. #wgastrong

— stranger writers (@strangerwriters) May 6, 2023

03
Movies and TV Shows Affected by the Writers' Strike: "Abbott Elementary"
ABC

Movies and TV Shows Affected by the Writers' Strike: "Abbott Elementary"

"Abbott Elementary" is yet another show that's been disrupted by the strike. "We are demanding that this industry is one that can sustain a career," Brittani Nichols, "Abbott Elementary" writer and captain of Writers Guild of America West, told Democracy Now on May 2. Nichols added that writers in Hollywood have to contend with a "gig economy" and that studios prioritize Wall Street above workers.

The show's creator, Quinta Brunson, has also voiced support for the strike. "I am a writer. I'm in the wga. I'm also on strike!" she tweeted. "I have no real power here other than to join my union in demanding fair compensation for writers!"

I don't use this app anymore because it honestly is a bit much for me- but I just want to clarify this-

I am a writer. I'm in the wga. I'm also on strike! I have no real power here other than to join my union in demanding fair compensation for writers! #wgastrong https://t.co/37sRWayILs

— quinta brunson (@quintabrunson) May 3, 2023

04
Movies and TV Shows Affected by the Writers' Strike: "Saturday Night Live"
Everett Collection

Movies and TV Shows Affected by the Writers' Strike: "Saturday Night Live"

"Saturday Night Live" was an immediate casualty of the writers' strike, as new episodes are pretty much written in their entirety the week before they air. The show had three episodes of its 48th season left when the strike halted production, and former cast member Pete Davidson, "Succession" star Kieran Culkin, and "The White Lotus"'s Jennifer Coolidge were set to host, per Variety.

05
Movies and TV Shows Affected by the Writers' Strike: "Severance"
Apple

Movies and TV Shows Affected by the Writers' Strike: "Severance"

"Severance" had already been plagued by reports of on-set delays due to issues among the production team, but the show officially halted production on May 8.

06
TV Shows Affected by the Writers' Strike: "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight"
Getty | Jeff Kravitz

TV Shows Affected by the Writers' Strike: "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight"

Just weeks after Max announced another "Game of Thrones" prequel called "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight," the show has been put on pause.

However, George R. R. Martin did confirm that "House of the Dragon" season two is going full speed ahead. "Across the ocean, the second season of 'House of the Dragon' started filming April 11 and will continue in London and Wales. The scripts for the eight s2 episodes were all finished months ago, long before the strike began," Martin wrote in a May 7 blog post. "Every episode has gone through four or five drafts and numerous rounds of revisions, to address HBO notes, my notes, budget concerns, etc. There will be no further revisions. The writers have done their jobs; the rest is in the hands of the directors, cast and crew . . . and of course the dragons."

Martin also voiced his support for the strike in the post. "I have been through several of these [strikes] since I first started writing for television and film in 1986. The 1988 strike, the first I was a part of, lasted 22 weeks, the longest in Hollywood history," he wrote. "The 2007-2008 strike, the most recent, went for 100 days. This one may go longer. The issues are more important, and I have never seen the Guild so united as it is now."

07
Movies and TV Shows Affected by the Writers' Strike: Late-Night Talk Shows
Getty | NBC

Movies and TV Shows Affected by the Writers' Strike: Late-Night Talk Shows

Late-night talk shows, including "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert," "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," "Late Night With Seth Meyers," "The Daily Show," and "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," all began airing reruns when the strike began. Many episodes of these shows are written the day they go live, per Deadline, meaning they can't function without writers.

08
Movies and TV Shows Affected by the Writers' Strike: "Cobra Kai"
Netflix

Movies and TV Shows Affected by the Writers' Strike: "Cobra Kai"

Netflix's "Cobra Kai"'s season six writers' room also closed down when the strike began. "We hate to strike, but if we must, we strike hard," writer Jon Hurwitz tweeted on May 2. "Pencils down in the Cobra Kai writers room. No writers on set. These aren't fun times, but it's unfortunately necessary. The moment a fair deal is in place, we'll get back to kicking ass. In the meantime, sending strength and support to the negotiating committee. You got this."

We hate to strike, but if we must, we strike hard. Pencils down in the Cobra Kai writers room. No writers on set. These aren't fun times, but it's unfortunately necessary. The moment a fair deal is in place, we'll get back to kicking ass. In the meantime, sending strength and… https://t.co/99UulF7HeW

— Jon Hurwitz (@jonhurwitz) May 2, 2023

09
Movies and TV Shows Affected by the Writers' Strike: "Billions"
Paramount Pictures

Movies and TV Shows Affected by the Writers' Strike: "Billions"

Production on the Wall Street drama "Billions" was paused on the strike's third day after picketers blocked the entryway to the studio, per Deadline. However, production reportedly resumed on May 4 (without any writers on set), and strikers have continued to disrupt the filming process.

10
Movies and TV Shows Affected by the Writers' Strike: "Hacks"
Warner Bros.

Movies and TV Shows Affected by the Writers' Strike: "Hacks"

HBO Max's "Hacks" has also paused production on its third season, per Deadline, and filming will reportedly not resume until the strike is over. "We are devastated to not be with our incredible crew and cast right now, but there was no other option here," showrunner Jen Statsky tweeted on May 5. "Writing happens at every stage of the process — production and post included. It's what makes shows and movies good. It's what makes them possible."

We are devastated to not be with our incredible crew and cast right now, but there was no other option here. Writing happens at every stage of the process - production and post included. It's what makes shows and movies good. It's what makes them possible. #wgastrong https://t.co/aU8QqUDEwu

— Jen Statsky (@jenstatsky) May 5, 2023

11
Movies and TV Shows Affected by the Writers' Strike: "Loot"
Apple

Movies and TV Shows Affected by the Writers' Strike: "Loot"

Maya Rudolph's Apple TV+ series "Loot" shut down production on its second season after picketers reportedly swarmed the Bel-Air mansion where much of the show is filmed, per The Hollywood Reporter. The status of the show's future remains unclear.

12
Movies and TV Shows Affected by the Writers' Strike: "Bunk'd"
Disney

Movies and TV Shows Affected by the Writers' Strike: "Bunk'd"

Disney Channel's longest-running live-action show, "Bunk'd," suspended filming on its seventh season on May 7, per Deadline. Twelve out of the season's 20 episodes have reportedly been completed.

13
Movies and TV Shows Affected by the Writers' Strike: "Evil"
Paramount Pictures

Movies and TV Shows Affected by the Writers' Strike: "Evil"

Production on "Evil" season four came to an early close after picketing writers shut down filming in Brooklyn, per Deadline.

These are the guys who shut Evil down... #WGAStrong https://t.co/0E4ETRv6JF

— WGA Strike Captain Warren Leight (@warrenleightTV) May 6, 2023

14
Movies and TV Shows Affected by the Writers' Strike: "Blade"
Getty | Matt Winkelmeyer

Movies and TV Shows Affected by the Writers' Strike: "Blade"

Marvel's "Blade" was first officially announced at Comic-Con four years ago, and now it's hit yet another delay. According to The Hollywood Reporter, writer Nic Pizzolatto had just signed on to rewrite the script when the strike occurred, pushing the Mahershala Ali-led movie even further into the future.