Grey’s Anatomy cast reunites on SAG-AFTRA picket line amid actors’ strike: ‘We aren’t backing down’
The cast of Grey’s Anatomy is back together — and standing in solidarity with their union.
During a Friday picket held outside Warner Bros. in Burbank, stars of the beloved medical drama reunited to show their support for the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), the actors’ union that has been on strike for three months. Kim Raver, who plays Dr. Teddy Altman, shared a video set to Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer” in which she and other Grey’s Anatomy alums picketed, made speeches, and snapped photos.
“Proud to stand in solidarity on the picket line today with many of our Grey’s cast/crew family and fellow #SAGAFTRA Union members today in front of Warner Brothers,” Raver wrote in the video’s caption.
Sarah Drew, known for playing Dr. April Kepner, shared a video of her own, writing, “We are out and we aren’t backing down!” Featured in both posts are series stars Chandra Wilson, James Pickens Jr., Harry Shum Jr., Caterina Scorsone, and Niko Tehro.
The Friday picket focused on actors who play first responders on screen, including police officers, firefighters, paramedics, ER doctors, and animal rescue workers. In a social media post, the union explained that the picket was meant to honor “the heroes who inspire our screens and the ones who bring them to life.”
The Grey’s Anatomy stars and their fellow SAG-AFTRA members have been on strike since July 14, after contract negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) broke down. Their concerns include AI restrictions and the lack of residuals they say they earn from streaming content.
Members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA), who began their strike in May, reached a tentative agreement with the AMPTP for a new three-year contract after 148 days of picketing and protests. The AMPTP returned to the bargaining table with the actors guild last week and is set to continue talks on Monday.
