Streaming: The series is a hit, but the actors can’t make a living

Is starring in a Netflix series synonymous with the jackpot? Not really, if we look at the statements of the main stakeholders. This is certainly not the case for actress Diane Guerrero, who played Maritza Ramos in the Netflix series Orange is the New Black.

He worked in a bar where customers recognized him. “How could you tell a complete stranger how much you get paid to be on a TV show?“, he said in the columns Deadline. “Because everyone would react like, “Oh my God, I love you on this show! But what are you doing here? It was infidelity bordering on crime.”

According to an article published this week The New Yorker, this controversy has been typical of some of the cast of this series and others that are hits on streaming platforms. Despite the fact that the actors have gained world fame and hordes of fans, the money received from their serials does not allow them to give up day or night activities. This often followed the situation described by Diana Guerrero.

These battles are at the heart of ongoing strikes in Hollywood, pitting actors and writers against the studios that finance them and want to make a bigger dent in the streaming era.

Actress Kimiko Glenn’s story echoes that of Diane Guerrero. She received a statement in the mail about her royalties from SAG-AFTRA for her role as Brooke Soso, an idealistic inmate in Orange Is the New Black. The document indicated small amounts of a few cents. “I thought: Oh my God, this is so sad.“, – says the actor. He published a video in which he shows the declaration – “I will be so rich!” he sarcastically says in the post — which totals twenty-seven dollars and thirty cents — and exclaims”What?“.

Uncertainty has become the norm

Ten actors from the show, many of whom spent multiple seasons as recurring guest stars, were interviewed for the New Yorker article. “The first thing we say to each other when we see each other is, “Yeah, that’s really stupid. All my remaining rights are goneOrange is the New Black is distributed by Netflix but produced by Lionsgate, which determined the initial payments to the actors.

When Kimiko Glenn joined the cast for the second season, the show’s producer wouldn’t pay for her transportation unless she was called by 6 a.m. “Taking a cab wouldn’t be such a big deal if we were paid enough to not feel like we were spending our wages.” he says.

The day after the final season premiered, writer and producer Tara Herman said:Jenji (Series co-creator Jenji Kohan) I was brought into a conference room and finally given the numbers: 100 million subscribers watched at least one episode, and at least half of them watched all six seasons. From an artistic point of view, these figures are breathtaking. From a business perspective, they are absolutely stunning. After revealing the numbers, the director asked us, “How do you feel when you hear that? Jenji paused and looked at me, and I replied, “Like I’d like to renegotiate my contract.”“

The actors’ strike, which has been going on for more than two months, is expected to bring support to the scriptwriters. Will it be enough to control Hollywood studios and streaming platforms? Nothing less certain…

Which series was suspended after the writers’ strike began? And what about the two big plays already set after the actors went on strike? Follow the strike news on AlloCiné.