It’s not even a week after the SAG-AFTRA strike getting over in Hollywood that Netflix has come out all guns blazing and rolled out their first blue carpet event for the British Royal Drama ‘The Crown’s sixth season. The event was attended by the stars of the show. It was a welcome change to see celebs once again attending such an event.
Ted Sarandos, co-CEO of Netflix and one of four studio CEOs who helped negotiate accords between the WGA and SAG-AFTRA was happy that things had finally ended and everyone was happy by the end of it. It is said that he was very closely involved in the closing stages of the discussions and he was one of the very few who eventually got the sailing ship home.
Talking to Deadline, Ted Sarandos said, “It’s a thrill. I haven’t been out in months so this is my first night out too. It’s great.”
He didn’t stop just with the pleasantries. He went on to also make public comments about the actor’s strike finally getting over. “Just thrilled to be back and thrilled to have everybody back,” he said.
Besides Ted Sarandos, Disney CEO Bob Iger, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav and NBCUniversal Studio Group Chairman Donna Langley were the ones who were constantly in back-and-forth discussions and meetings with the actor’s union amidst the strike. This was probably the first weekend off for all of them.
Talking about whether or not he is happy with the final agreement, he said, “Yes, definitely.”
After the actor’s union came to a settlement with the studios, the SAG-AFTRA called an end to the strike and since then all film and TV production houses have been trying to get things back on the shoot floor and return to filming.
The deal that was stuck between the SAG-AFTRA national board and the studios was approved not unanimously but by an 86% majority. Now, it is being sent to the members for their ratification.
Talking about being optimistic over the ratifications, Sarandos said, “I hope so. It’s all in front of the members now, so it’s up to them to ratify it.”
Ted Sarandos seemed very happy and gleeful at the blue carpet event and was seen shaking hands and taking photos with the talents as well as for the press. He even was seen taking some snaps of the costumes from ‘The Crown 6’, which were put on display at the gala event.
From ‘The Crown 6’ cast members who attended the event included Elizabeth Debicki, Jonathan Pryce and Khalid Abdala.
