Actress reveals how much she just made from a top Netflix show

"Orange is the New Black" actors Emma Myles and Lea DeLaria join 'CNN This Morning' to discuss residual checks in the era of streaming services. #CNN #News

[LogainAblar]

Wow, I watched OitNB through to conclusion and was of the impression that the actors were being well paid considering how popular the show was. To hear that Emma Myles doesn't even have health insurance was truly heartbreaking. Another example of why current conditions are unsustainable. When a CEO is making $20 million base, $50 million with bonuses and stock options but the cast of his hit show is getting $20 in residuals and can't afford health insurance, that's not just wrong, that's straight up evil.

[latonyajefferson]

Streaming services got over like fat rats because they knew they weren't subject to the guild contracts. Now that they are being pulled in and held to the same standards as traditional studios, they are throwing tantrums.

If your company is pulling in billions in profit, you can afford to pay your staff and contract workers better than average wages for the industry.

[letzsnuggzz]

The wage theft by CEOs and execs across the labour market is so obscene. This isn't just an entertainment industry issue. This is a labour market issue. But people have become so complacent and distracted by the inane to fight to stop any of this, until of late.

[odalisgonzalez]

I had no idea it was that bad. I'm totally shocked. Stay strong & don't back down.

[violingirl]

I sincerely hope this movement gains momentum in the other sectors. It is utterly ridiculous that workers get paid so little and the CEOs make so much. Ridiculous. Only in America.

[rygregory]

Dang, when I got my residual checks from doing one appearance on one episode on Sense 8, I got a measly $13 per check and I thought that was ridiculous. But these actresses getting only $20 dollars for being one of the STARS on an even more popular show is just wrong.

This is what happens when 99% of profits go to execs and 1% to everyone else. And this applies to every single industry. This widening income gap is just getting out of control.

[markgreen]

Netflix revenue for the twelve months ending March 31, 2023 was $31.909B, a 4.96% increase year-over-year. Netflix annual revenue for 2022 was $31.616B, a 6.46% increase from 2021. Netflix annual revenue for 2021 was $29.698B, a 18.81% increase from 2020.

[jenlin]

That is sick. This level of greed is insane. Capitialism should be you get rewarded for your proportional work and talent, seems like a pyramid scheme to me. All the talented workers get pennies while the ones a the top doing nothing are getting the cream.

[judylaaper]

This is NOT fair, people are working hard and lazy CEO get all the money .

[aking]

I can confirm the residual checks won't even cover the monthly streaming fee that is airing the program you are on...😳😖😡

[darylbrunt]

Netflix is just the Walmart of the creative world.

[EvaLou]

It’s called “show business” not “show art” for a reason. Having been an actor in LA… I can honestly say that a big reason why actors are treated so terribly is because there are SO many of them and they are all SO desperate to be in these major big network shows or Hollywood blockbusters. I’m not saying actors deserve to be treated terribly AT ALL… but actors are passionate people who in many cases would (and have) do their art for free! The big CEOs know this and leverage this passion and desperation to make actors feel like they are lucky to just be involved in these big projects. But people gotta pay their rent and bills. It’s time the greedy bastards pay up.

[Hoector]

That is so sad. Orange is the New Black was such a groundbreaking iconic revolutionary show. They deserve a little bit more. They are the reason a lot of people signed up for Netflix.

[Concepcion]

Netflix knew what they were about with the contracts in those early days of streaming their original shows.

As you can see here, the cast didn’t even know their residual checks would be pittance until they got them.

[larrybarnes]

Total support for the sag aftra union getting what these artists deserve. Everyone deserves dignity at work and fair compensation.

[mcflyfarm]

Quentin Tarantino lived off the residuals he received from just TWO Golden Girls episodes while he made Reservoir Dogs. He played an Elvis impersonator.

[ashlaunicaalpari]

Wow that’s horrible wages for a hit show on Netflix… almost unbelievable to think that’s actually a real figure.

[OnyxLee]

Animators and artists need to unite and strike together!

[starchild]

Being a huge fan of OITNB and knowing the actors made nothing from it is so upsetting. They put their hearts and souls into their work and to see they make nothing for it is so discouraging. I hope they get everything they deserve.

[raineyj]

Damn, I knew their residuals can be small but I didnt know it was that bad, musicians can relate.