UK talk shows to host more local actors amid US Hollywood strike

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News Websites
23 Jul 2023 16:00

Shows in the UK, such as BBC One’s The Graham Norton Show which regularly hosts stars, are feeling the heat after the Oppenheimer cast walked out of its premiere and more are expected to follow.

US actor Matt Damon, British Actress Emily Blunt, Irish actor Cillian Murphy and British Actor Florence Pugh on the red carpet for the UK premiere of "Oppenheimer" in London, UK on July 13, 2023. (AFP)

Some of TV’s biggest talk and daily magazine shows are struggling to host as actors continue to follow in the footsteps of the Oppenheimer cast that walked out of its premiere earlier this month in support of Hollywood's ongoing actors' strike.

Shows in the UK, such as BBC One’s The Graham Norton Show, which regularly hosts stars, are feeling the heat.

An unidentified producer of a well-known show told The Observer: “We are lucky as we had already filmed a couple of movie stars. Fortunately, we have enough domestic stars to use and will use more of them”, while another producer said they would use “more homegrown celebrities”.

The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (Sag-Aftra) began a protest as well over pay and the use of AI to replicate voices. Although its UK counterpart, Equity, is not taking part, some local actors like Oppenheimer star Emily Blunt, are Sag-Aftra members.

#Hollywood is facing its largest shutdown #strike in 63 years. pic.twitter.com/SlS6A8mg1m
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) July 16, 2023

Some are working on films currently shut down due to US counterparts striking, which has led to some confusion among UK stars who are questioning if they should publicize shows made by US-owned companies such as Netflix or Channel 5 owner Paramount.

Jonathan Shalit, chairman of InterTalent and showbiz agent, stated that actors were proceeding with caution since they do not want to be labeled “scabs”, adding: “The wealthy can see through these strikes because they’ve got savings, but … in the short term it’s devastating for a lot of people and I suspect some will exit the industry. But people understand it’s short-term pain for long-term gain."

“It’s a scary time for everyone, including producers, with budgets going down and costs going up.”

If it spills over

Channel 4’s The Lateish Show with Mo Gilligan has just finished filming, and with stars such as Jennifer Lawrence. Ben Wicks with production company Expectation said they “would not have got [them] if we were making that series this month, it would have a big effect”.

Wicks is also managing Channel 4’s daytime chatshow Steph’s Packed Lunch, and commented that the strike “will definitely affect it …we’ve [previously] had an impressive array of American talent on the show”.

He added: “Obviously it’s a shame” but that “there are plenty of other people promoting things” and the UK-based series covers subjects ranging from consumer issues and fashion to cooking.

According to Wicks, if the US model spills over to the UK, an unintended consequence could affect diversity and working-class people who can afford to work in TV.

Steph’s Packed Lunch, for example, boosted the city of Leeds' economy, with a team of over 80 that is made up of people from different backgrounds, which Wicks believes brings a “diversity of stories that reflect the diversity of life”.

Ayres, who runs diversity company D and I, agreed by declaring that "It’s about the wider picture and also talking about how actors and writers in the UK are usually paid less than in the US.”