Since the two Hollywood strikes began, we’ve been hearing countless stories from writers and actors about how they’ve really been screwed over by not being paid residuals for shows that are on streaming services. For instance, Mandy Moore showed off a teeny tiny residual check she got from “This Is Us” and despite a reported 18 billion streaming hours, the writers for “Suits” only made a couple of hundred dollars each. Well, add Aaron Paul to the list of people who aren’t getting the money owed to them. While on the picket lines with his “Breaking Bad” costars, including Bryan Cranston, Aaron, who won an Emmy for playing Jesse Pinkman, shared that he does not earn any residuals from the AMC series.
Breaking Bad star Aaron Paul has revealed that he makes nothing from the smash hit show being on Netflix, despite its huge popularity on the streaming platform. While standing on the picket line alongside his co-stars Bryan Cranston and Jesse Plemons as part of the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, Paul stated that it is now time for streaming services such as Netflix to “pony up” and pay the talent properly. Check out what Paul had to say below:
“I don’t get a piece from Netflix on Breaking Bad to be totally honest and that’s insane to me. I think a lot of these streamers know that they have been getting away with not paying people a fair wage and now it’s time to pony up.”
As noted by The Independent, the cast of Breaking Bad reunited in a plea to Hollywood studios, requesting that they resume negotiations with striking actors. “We want you to come back to the table with us,” the Your Honor star stated while outside Sony Pictures Studios recently.
Cranston and Paul were joined by Jesse Plemons as well as other members of the Breaking Bad cast, in an attempt to invigorate others on the picket lines.
SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) first began their strike more than a month ago in July, joining the WGA (Writers Guild of America) who went on strike back in early May. Issues surrounding streaming services and the impact they’ve made on the production and compensation for those in the industry have been a main focus for both guilds.
The five season crime drama, Breaking Bad (which starred Cranston and Paul as Walter White and Jesse Pinkman, respectively), aired from 2008 to 2013 and by its final season, the television series had become one of the most watched and highest rated cable shows ever. Still, despite its continued popularity on Netflix, Paul said that the show’s streaming success hasn’t resulted in any additional compensation for the El Camino star.
I shouldn’t be surprised at this point, but this one is absolutely wild to me because “Breaking Bad” was one of those shows that really benefited and picked up steam because of Netflix and visa versa. I remember catching up on “Breaking Bad” before the last season started thanks to the AMC marathons and Netflix on DVD. Ah, RIP to the #NetflixQueue (which I’ve now replaced with my Libby queue). But yeah, there are so many stories and each one gets more and more WTF. I really, really hope that the WGA and SAG-AFTRA are successful in getting their terms met, so everyone who does the actual work on all of these properties that we stream over and over again can get the money that they rightfully deserve.
Aaron Paul revealed that he earns $0 in residuals from streaming despite BREAKING BAD doing constant numbers for streamers. "I don't get a piece from Netflix on BREAKING BAD to be totally honest and that's insane to me." #AMPTP pic.twitter.com/iqiz2yVy50
— Todd Spence (@Todd_Spence) September 4, 2023
Photos credit: Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/Avalon and Getty
It’s sad that at this point the AMPTP won’t even come to the table and talk. The offered they have is the exact same one that led to the strike in the first place. They aren’t negotiating AT ALL with SAG-AFRTA or the WGA. Their only plan is to starve them out – just like they said. Which is so unbelievable short-sighted and dumb. Because once they run out of already filmed content to release and make money off of then what? How are these streaming services going to retain subscribers if they have nothing new to offer? Studios are already losing money on big film releases. The Equalizer 3 came out and I had NO IDEA. Why? Because no one can promote it.
I just watched the entire series from start to finish (again) and had no idea the writers and cast would not see a penny from it. I only watched it BECAUSE of the writing and the actors in it and they don’t receive anything? That’s just bonkers. I’m stunned. Makes me want to rethink my whole viewing process. Greedy bastards.
To clarify he said he didn’t make residuals from Netflix streaming. AMC channel directly, yes he still would.
That said, streaming is complicated. If I understand it, usually it’s a one time fee for owning the rights to stream for x period of time, not by view #. So they should be getting a percent of that packaged offer. When it’s bundled (with other shows/movies) its even more complicated. Yes, it’s not a direct 1 to 1 but there is still a way – although it shouldn’t be Netflix to pay per view per ce, but should also be part of the contract with the people selling to Netflix.
This is truly astonishing. I’m also so angry that the studios are refusing to negotiate! Writers and actors are the essential parts of the product they produce! Pay them.
The streaming services simply have to pay the writers, actors and crews just like the networks do. Streaming services make so much money off of rerunning content. I hope this strike really kicks them in the balls.