How Soap Opera Actors Are Affected By A Union Strike

The soaps may be weeks away from airing material penned by scribes who have been hired in place of writers who’ve gone on strike but there is some good news for fans of The Bold and the Beautiful, Days of our Lives, General Hospital, and The Young and the Restless.

Soap Opera Actors Will Continue to Work

In addition to answering some other questions, Laura Wright (Carly, General Hospital) shared with fans at the recent General Hospital Convention produced by Creation Entertainment that the actors on all daytime soaps have different contracts and that they won’t be going on strike. Now, a report in Deadline is supporting Wright’s statements. There are reports that SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild/A Television and Radio Artists) may go on strike on or after July 1.

However, this contract, which expires on June 30 does not apply to union members working on soap operas. As three out of the four soaps — B&B, GH, and Y&R — shoot approximately a few weeks to a month-plus in advance, they may soon run out of scripts. DAYS shoots several months ahead but sources say that scripts are still being written by fi-core or scab writers.

Other Performers Who Won’t Strike

Soaps aren’t the only show that will continue should performers join writers on the picket line. Morning shows (for example, The View), variety, reality, game shows, sports, and promotional announcements will all stay in production. The agreement for that goes through July 2024.

Who’s Writing Shows for Soap Opera Actors

Deadline added in its report that soaps are currently being written by fi-core writers (fi-core stands for financial core) — writers who have resigned from their WGA memberships but still benefit from guild contracts with studios. Producers, assistants, and executives may also be stepping in to help out with scripts.

Some of the actors will be taking breaks this summer but this is unrelated to the writers’ strike. B&B, GH, and DAYS are set to take a few weeks off (at least) for a pre-planned hiatus as they’ve taped shows in advance. Y&R will continue production.