Emily in Paris, Stranger Things, and the 5 Netflix shows most affected by the writers and actors strikes
When you come to love a television show, you don’t want to wait a long time for the next season. Unfortunately, Netflix shows have a longer wait time between seasons than most other networks or streamers, and in 2023, those wait times will be a bit longer for good reason.
In the summer of 2023, the entertainment industry came to an unprecedented standstill due to both the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. The writers’ strike halted all writing duties for union members, causing most shows to stop production, and the actors’ strike precluded actors from working on new or current projects as well as promoting them.
Rightfully so, those who work hard in front of the camera and behind the scenes have been fighting for fair wages, for actors and writers whose names we do and don’t know, and preventing other potentially unjust practices, such as artificial intelligence. Because of the ongoing strikes as of August 2023, some of the biggest Netflix shows have been affected.
Netflix shows delayed by the strikes
For those wondering which Netflix shows have been impacted the most in the wake of the ongoing strikes, we’re sharing five fan favorites that have been delayed, beginning with Emily in Paris.
Emily in Paris season 4 strike delay
Since its debut in 2020, Emily in Paris has dropped a new season on Netflix at the end of each consecutive year, but season 4 won’t arrive in 2023. Writing began on the season earlier this year for a production start at the end of the summer, but the writers’ strike pushed production to October. The actors’ strike then made that fall filming start impossible. Currently, it’s unknown when Emily in Paris season 4 could end up on our screens, but summer or fall 2024 seems like a safe bet.
STRANGER THINGS. (L to R) Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven, Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler and Noah Schnapp as Will Byers in STRANGER THINGS. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2022
Stranger Things season 5 strike delay
Because of the sizable gaps between seasons 2 and 3, and then seasons 3 and 4, Stranger Things has become something of an easy target for jokes about the cast aging out of their characters. Even though the fifth and final season planned to arrive less than two years between seasons this time around, you know what they say when you make plans. Although it seems the bulk of the writing has been completed, season 5 planned to film in summer 2023 and has now been paused until the strikes resolve.
Cobra Kai season 6 strike delay
Fortunately, Cobra Kai fans never had to wait very long for new seasons. Netflix technically released two seasons in 2021 — season 3 on New Year’s Day and season 4 on New Year’s Eve. But the sixth and final season has been delayed by both strikes. The writers had been working on the scripts for the final episodes for a production start in May 2023, but both strikes hit in succession, making it impossible for Cobra Kai season 6 to premiere much sooner than sometime in 2024.
Wednesday. Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams in episode 102 of Wednesday. Cr. Vlad Cioplea/Netflix © 2022
Wednesday season 2 strike delay
There’s no doubt that Wednesday was one of the biggest new Netflix shows of 2022, earning huge numbers and Emmy nominations. But the studios failing to compromise with actors and writers on a new, fair deal will prevent the series’ second season from premiering in 2023. Writing on Wednesday season 2 began early this spring prior to the writers’ strike, with production likely to have commenced sometime by the end of the year. However, it’s anyone’s guess how long the follow-up season could be delayed now.
The Night Agent season 2 strike delay
Another debut hit caught in the crossfire of corporate greed, The Night Agent was far and away an unexpected and triumphant success for Netflix in 2023, so much so that season 2 was ordered five days after its premiere and the writers got back in the room very shortly after. Just as writing was getting into the thick of it, the writers’ strike hit. Netflix likely aimed to have The Night Agent season 2 out within a year, but we could be waiting until well into 2024 for Peter Sutherland’s next mission. The wait will be worth it so long as actors and writers earn a fair deal.
Which of these Netflix shows are you most looking forward to returning?