Netflix owes much of its success and growth to the groundbreaking series “Orange is the New Black.” This drama, starring Taylor Schilling, played a pivotal role in establishing Netflix as a formidable competitor to traditional cable and network television. It not only captivated audiences with its exploration of the prison system and diverse cast of female inmates but also signaled Netflix’s readiness to compete on a global scale.
However, behind the scenes, the cast members of “Orange is the New Black” faced exploitative practices and unfair compensation, shedding light on the larger issues plaguing the streaming industry. Despite the series becoming Netflix’s most-watched and longest-running show at the time, many recurring guest stars were shockingly underpaid. Actors such as Kimiko Glenn, Emma Myles, Beth Dover, Alysia Reiner, Diane Guerrero, Taryn Manning, and Lea DeLaria revealed that they were paid the minimum SAG day rate, earning less than $900 per day. Some even had to maintain day jobs to support themselves while working on the show.
The lack of residual payments for streaming series was another major concern. Unlike reruns on network television, which can provide actors with steady income for years, streaming platforms offer minimal compensation in this regard. This disparity became apparent when Kimiko Glenn shared on TikTok that her 44 episodes on the show earned her a mere $27.30 in residuals. Emma Myles, who appeared in 54 episodes, received around $20 in residuals for the entire year, compared to approximately $600 per year for her guest appearances on “Law & Order.” This pay discrepancy, coupled with the erasure of residuals from streaming actors’ pay, has been a significant reason for the ongoing strike by SAG-AFTRA, the actors’ union.
The cast members of “Orange is the New Black” expressed disillusionment with the situation. Despite the show’s tremendous success, they were forced to work additional jobs to make ends meet, while their salaries remained at a minimum. Even actors with substantial social media followings and roles in billion-dollar franchises struggled to pay their rent. The financial burden of attending award shows became a challenge for the cast, as they found it difficult to cover the costs associated with travel and preparation.
Lionsgate, the production company behind the series, was complicit in the issue, as it committed to paying the bare minimum to the supporting actors, with payment per episode never exceeding $15,000 throughout the show’s run. Some actors eventually received better compensation after being promoted to series regulars, but many, like Lori Tan Chin, faced financial hardship. Tan Chin even contemplated relying on food stamps due to her meager earnings.
What made matters worse for the “Orange is the New Black” cast was Netflix’s open bragging about its profits, while simultaneously claiming financial constraints. While Netflix concealed ratings metrics for the show until its conclusion, CEO Ted Sarandos couldn’t resist boasting that the series attracted more viewers than “Game of Thrones.” Creator Jenji Kohan was also unaware of the show’s exact viewership numbers, but its popularity and Sarandos’s statements confirmed its massive success.
The accounts of the “Orange is the New Black” cast members serve as evidence supporting the ongoing strike by SAG-AFTRA, which seeks better pay, improved pension and healthcare benefits, and other protections for actors in the streaming industry. Residuals play a crucial role in achieving these goals. Given the immense viewership of shows on platforms like Netflix, aligning residual payments with those of theatrical and linear network releases would be a significant step toward creating a fair and equitable industry for all who work in it.
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