Strike Shadows Over ‘Bold & Beautiful’, ‘Young & Restless’, ‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘General Hospital’: A Potential Actors’ Union Showdown

The glittering world of daytime television may soon be eclipsed as major soap operas, including the renowned “Bold & Beautiful”, “Young & Restless”, “Days of Our Lives”, and “General Hospital”, face a looming threat. This threat isn’t a sinister plot twist, but an impending actors’ strike, which, if it comes to pass, could bring these beloved serials to an unforeseen standstill.

On the 5th of June, a surprising development caused a stir within the entertainment industry. The Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), the influential union representing the interests of TV and film performers, disclosed that its members had given an overwhelming endorsement to the potential strike action, with a staggering 97.91 percent voting in favor. However, it’s important to underscore that a strike hasn’t been declared as of yet. This vote only serves as a stark warning, signaling the collective willingness of the actors to strike if forthcoming negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) fail to meet their demands.

Negotiations are yet to kick-off, and the union’s existing contract isn’t set to expire until the end of June. Hence, the possibility of a strike is a speculative cloud hanging over the soap opera sky, casting a shadow of uncertainty over shows that command a loyal daily viewership.

The continuation of soap operas in the wake of a potential strike is fraught with difficulties. While shows like “The Young and the Restless”, “The Bold and the Beautiful”, “General Hospital”, and “Days of Our Lives” could possibly keep their narrative flow alive even if their regular writers were to picket, functioning without their star-studded casts would be an uphill task. The exception may be “Days of Our Lives” due to its unique practice of taping episodes significantly ahead of their air date.

Adding to the drama, this news arrives on the heels of an ongoing writers’ strike that has entered its second month. Key demands of the writers include an increase in streaming content residuals, a stop to the diminution of writers through ‘mini rooms’, and limitations on artificial intelligence use. Interestingly, SAG-AFTRA echoes many of these demands.

This isn’t the first time the production of these popular shows has been threatened. In 2020, the global COVID-19 pandemic temporarily halted filming, a reminder that even the world of make-believe is not immune to real-world disruptions. As negotiations commence later this week, fans worldwide will be holding their breath, hoping their favorite daytime dramas will not go dark.