What’s Happening to Your Favorite Shows Now That the Actors’ Strike Is Over

The longest actors' strike in history is officially over. On Nov.8, the actors' union (SAG-AFTRA) announced that they had tentatively reached a deal with the studios and streamers (AMPTP) to end their strike after 118 days. But what does this mean for your favorite TV shows, which haven't been creating news episodes since the strike first began on July 14 (and perhaps since the writers' strike before that)?

Well, even though the deal hasn't been officially ratified just yet, actors are now free to get back to work, meaning filming can officially begin. According to Deadline, broadcast series are expected to return first, "with series going into full prep immediately, as the urgency there is the greatest."

However, that doesn't mean that shooting is happening today. Series typically need at least three to six weeks of pre-production and prep time before filming begins, for things like scriptwriting, set building and costume design. Plus, since so many shows are now suddenly free to film, USA Today reports that there could be a scramble for behind-the-scenes crews.

But some shows will return sooner rather than later. Deadline added that, just minutes after the strike ended, casts and crews began receiving tentative start dates for late November and early December. The earliest start date is believed to be Nov. 27 for Dick Wolf's suite of procedural shows, including the Law & Order and FBI franchises, which would mean they'd deliver 13-episode seasons this year. If series pick back up filming in January (typically, shows need about 3-6 weeks of pre-production and prep time before filming), other broadcast series could deliver 10 episodes this year.

Others expected to return quickly include Grey's Anatomy, Criminal Minds: Evolution, 9-1-1, Night Court, NCIS and Ghosts. Quinta Brunson, showrunner and star of the fan favorite network comedy Abbott Elementary, confirmed last night in a light-hearted message that the show would start filming "soon."

Shows that are exclusive to streaming, meanwhile, could take a little longer to pick back up, but are still eager to get going, according to the Deadline piece. The final season of Stranger Things is expected to begin filming in a few weeks, as are Max's Hacks and Welcome to Derry, which were in the middle of production when the strike began. Netflix's Emily in Paris is aiming to begin filming its fourth season in January to avoid mayhem from the Paris Summer Olympic Games.

Plus, White Lotus showrunner Mike White confirmed earlier this week that the Season 3 scripts are near-completed, so he was ready to begin casting as soon as the strike ended.

In the meantime, you can find our favorite swaps for shows delayed by the strike here.

The new deal, which will last for three years, promises that actors will receive "compensation that will protect members from the threat of AI" and "a streaming participation bonus," amongst other safeguards. The actors' union is expected to ratify the deal this week.