Their declaration also comes as studios have begun issuing letters to showrunners insisting that they are still required to come to work and perform non-writing duties, something many, like the Duffer brothers, suggest is a misunderstanding of all that writing entails.

Numerous working TV writers have shared their concerns over production on some shows continuing without writers, taking to the platform to clue fans in as to why a writer’s job doesn’t stop just because the scripts have been turned in.

Writers remaining employed through production and thus coming to set has long been a standard part of the TV-making process, although it’s one that studios have started trying to phase out — and one of the points currently in contention between the AMPTP and the WGA. Another proposal from the WGA includes asking for higher residual payments for writers that create shows or films that go on to bring in massive viewer numbers and profits for the streamers, such as Stranger Things. At the time the strike was called, the WGA reported that AMPTP had flat-out rejected both proposals.

As far as Stranger Things goes, there was never any hard release date for the final season announced, though many initially theorized it could hit Netflix in the later half of 2024. It’s also unclear how long production will be delayed due to the AMPTP’s unwillingness to compromise. The 2007 writers strike lasted for 100 days, and this one may last even longer.

Hopefully Netflix, and all the other studios, will agree to compensate writers fairly for creating the products that line the pockets of CEOs and shareholders with money before the cast of Stranger Things age even further beyond their characters.