Striking screenwriters and actors hold signs at a rally in Chicago in July 2023, as the labor dispute that halted Hollywood spread to more cities.
Striking screenwriters and actors hold signs at a rally in Chicago in July 2023, as the labor dispute that halted Hollywood spread to more cities. Teresa Crawfordv / Associated Press
Striking screenwriters and actors hold signs at a rally in Chicago in July 2023, as the labor dispute that halted Hollywood spread to more cities.
Striking screenwriters and actors hold signs at a rally in Chicago in July 2023, as the labor dispute that halted Hollywood spread to more cities. Teresa Crawfordv / Associated Press

After 118 days, the Hollywood actors’ strike is over. SAG-AFTRA and television-movie studios have reached a tentative deal. Union officials say the contract is valued at over one billion dollars. There are about 5000 SAG-AFTRA members in Chicago. WBEZ’s Esther Yoon-Ji Kang sat down with a SAG-AFTRA actress based in Chicago. Sydney Charles has appeared in such shows as “The Chi,” “Shameless” and “South Side.” She says she is celebrating the news but has to recoup from the loss of the past four months. 

Striking screenwriters and actors hold signs at a rally in Chicago in July 2023, as the labor dispute that halted Hollywood spread to more cities.
Striking screenwriters and actors hold signs at a rally in Chicago in July 2023, as the labor dispute that halted Hollywood spread to more cities. Teresa Crawfordv / Associated Press
Striking screenwriters and actors hold signs at a rally in Chicago in July 2023, as the labor dispute that halted Hollywood spread to more cities.
Striking screenwriters and actors hold signs at a rally in Chicago in July 2023, as the labor dispute that halted Hollywood spread to more cities. Teresa Crawfordv / Associated Press

After 118 days, the Hollywood actors’ strike is over. SAG-AFTRA and television-movie studios have reached a tentative deal. Union officials say the contract is valued at over one billion dollars. There are about 5000 SAG-AFTRA members in Chicago. WBEZ’s Esther Yoon-Ji Kang sat down with a SAG-AFTRA actress based in Chicago. Sydney Charles has appeared in such shows as “The Chi,” “Shameless” and “South Side.” She says she is celebrating the news but has to recoup from the loss of the past four months.