The Writers Guild of America strike is making headlines across the country but is also having an impact in North Carolina. 

The Writers Guild called for a strike Tuesday that’s now impacting TV shows produced on a weekly basis, such as late-night talk shows. 

This comes after the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers could not reach agreements on a new contract that would support writers with a multitude of issues, including low pay and a lack of residuals for streaming.

What You Need To Know

  • The Writers Guild of America went on strike Tuesday over compensation issues

  • The last time the WGA went on strike in 2007-08, it lasted 100 days

  • This strike impacts shows put out on a weekly basis, so you may not be able to watch new episodes of those for some time

Wilmington, commonly referred to as “Wilmywood” or the “Hollywood of the East,” is already seeing the impact of the strike. 

Kirk Englebright, president of Dark Horse Studios, says that the writers are the backbone of the industry, and without them, it wouldn’t survive.

Kirk Englebright, the president of Dark Horse Studios in Wilmington, says the writers of TV shows are essential. (Spectrum News 1/Natalie Mooney)

“Without the writers these scripts don’t exist. Films don’t exist. Feature films, TV, none of it exists without the writers,” Englebright said. “So it’s essential that we keep them happy and compensated, and that they’re able to survive with what they’re doing in film.”

The WGA is citing compensation as the main issue behind the strike, especially the issue with streaming residuals.

“They’re not getting residuals if it goes for streaming,” Englebright said. “So they tried to negotiate for the amount of time they were negotiating, came down to the last hour, and they decided to strike.”

Englebright is hopeful that the strike will conclude soon, and that Dark Horse can get back to working on productions and staying busy. 

Although we may not know the names of the writers behind our favorite shows, it’s clear from the strike that the industry needs them.

Kirk Englebright shows off the stage at Dark Horse Studios where 'George and Tammy' was filmed. (Spectrum News 1/Natalie Mooney)

Before the strike, Dark Horse was busy with three productions a year since its inception in 2020. 

One of those productions includes the successful “George and Tammy” series that received great reviews and got Jessica Chastain her 2023 SAG award.

Come June, Dark Horse Studios will be expanding and breaking ground on three new sound stages.

If you would like to read the WGA's statement about the strike, can click here.

If you would like to learn more about Dark Horse Studios, can click here.