Virgin River star Alexandra Breckenridge has apologized to fans for not promoting the upcoming fifth season of the popular Netflix drama.
In a video shared to her Instagram Stories, the actress, who stars as Mel Monroe in the series, explained that due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, she isn’t able to go back to work or discuss anything “work-related” on social media, confirming that production on season six is still on hold.
WATCH: Alexandra Breckenridge apologizes to fans ahead of season five premiere
Addressing her followers from her kitchen at her Georgia home, she said: “I feel like I’ve been cooking since I got back from dropping off my daughter at school. I’m trying to do something fun and creative with my time because SAG is on strike and I can’t go back to work and I can’t even talk about work.
“So, if all y’all are trying to send me messages asking about work-related things, I can’t answer you and I’m really sorry about that.”
© NetflixAlexandra confirmed that production on season six is still on hold
The 41-year-old continued: “I can’t post anything, I can’t promote anything. It’s very weird. I’m not usually somebody who likes doing a lot of promotion or interviews just because it can be rather daunting and stressful.”
She added: “So I’m trying to do cooking because that’s what I love to do and share with you when I’m at home strike or no strike.”
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Virgin River stars Alexandra Breckenridge and Martin Henderson’s close bond exploredWhy is production on Virgin River season six on hold?
Like many shows, production on Virgin River is currently on hold due to the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
The unions called on their members to strike over ongoing labor disputes with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents major studios including Netflix, Disney and Amazon.
© NetflixAlexandra explained that she isn’t allowed to post anything ‘work-related’ due to the strike
Annette O’Toole, who plays Hope McCrea, shared an update back in May, explaining that filming for season six would begin as soon as the strike has come to an end, which industry insiders predict will be in the fall.
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“#VirginRiver season 5 will air in the fall and we’re going to film season 6 as soon as the strike is settled,” she wrote.
© NetflixMartin Henderson and Alexandra Breckenridge as Jack and Mel
Thankfully, fans can look forward to the upcoming release of season five, which arrives on Netflix on September 7. Viewers will be able to binge-watch the first eight episodes immediately, with two festive specials arriving just in time for the holiday season on November 30.
What will happen in Virgin River season five?
The residents of Virgin River are headed for some major drama in season five as a terrifying wildfire rips through the town.
Fans can also expect to see “surprising new relationships, a shocking break-up, a difficult court trial and a heartbreaking goodbye”.
The series returns on September 7
Meanwhile, when Doc and Hope’s respective impairments prompt the couple to question their identities, they must find solace in their community, their young new family and in each other.
As for Mel, the nurse is forced to make a big decision about her future at the clinic while her pregnancy sparks an unexpected emotional connection to her past. In a behind-the-scenes photo posted to the show’s official Instagram page, fans spotted the first signs of Mel’s baby bump. Click here to see it.
Why are actors going on strike?
SAG-AFTRA member voted to strike on July 13 2023. They are calling for improved compensation and benefits, in particular focus is on the residuals they receive from streaming services, and better protection against artificial intelligence using their likeness.
In 2022 the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the average hourly pay for a California actor was $27.73 per hour. But many working actors do not work Monday-Friday 9am – 5pm jobs and 86% of the 160,000 strong guild do not make more than $25,950 in covered earnings (money that contributes towards social security) within a one year span and therefore do not qualify for healthcare insurance.
Actors then must pay commissions for agents, lawyers and publicists which can total around 35% a month of your salary.
Actors also receive financial compensations when their TV shows are syndicated, rerun, have a DVD release or enjoy a move to streaming services. The calculation is complex and can change depending on initial contract, length of time an actor has had guild membership, and the type of production. As an example the Friends cast – Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and Matthew Perry – receive 2% of the syndication revenue for their hit WB show, meaning their annually bring in around $20million each.
But as streaming services such as Netflix continue to refuse to share ratings, it makes it unclear how often content is played and it lowers an actor’s residual calculation.
The SAG and WGA members are also both fighting AMPTP over protections for their work against Artificial Intelligence. In a press conference on July 13 2023, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA’s chief negotiator claimed that the studios had offered a “groundbreaking” proposal that would see background performers get “scanned, get one day’s pay, and their companies should own that scan, their image, their likeness and should be able to use it for the rest of eternity on any project they want, with no consent and no compensation”.
AMPTP spokesperson Scott Rowe denied the claims in a statement.
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