Arrow and Heels star Stephen Amell reveals he does NOT support ‘myopic’ SAG-AFTRA strike: ‘I think it’s a reductive bargaining tactic’
While it is clear that the SAG-AFTRA strike is supported by a vast majority of the guild – with 97.91% of the approximately 160,000 artists approving the strike in June – there are still some actors who do not support the strike, like Stephen Amell.
Amell, 42, appeared at GalaxyCon in Raleigh, North Carolina after the second season of his new series Heels debuted when asked about the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, which began July 14, and joined the WGA writers who went on strike in early May.
“Yeah, so I feel like I’m isolated in Hollywood because that’s where I live, just like all the stereotypes out there. I feel like a lot of people in this room aren’t aware of the strike,” Amell began.
“I support my union, I do, and I support them, but I’m not in favor of going on strike, I don’t,” Amell added.
“I think it’s a reductive negotiation tactic and I find it all incredibly frustrating,” Amell continued.
No support Stephen: While it is clear that the SAG-AFTRA strike is supported by a vast majority of the guild – with 97.91% of the roughly 160,000 artists approving the strike in June – there are still some actors who support the not support a strike, like Stephen Amell
Heel(s): Amell, 42, appeared at GalaxyCon in Raleigh, North Carolina after the second season of his new series of Heels debuted, when asked about the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, which began July 14, and added joined the WGA writers who went on strike at the beginning of May
“I think thinking in regards to shows like the show I’m on (Heels), which premiered last night, I think it’s myopic,” Amell concluded.
He declined to comment on his social media views on the strike, though he did post a video on Instagram thanking his fans for visiting him in Raleigh.
“I just had the best time, I must have met 5,000 people. If you’ve been queuing, because I know a lot of people have been queuing for a long time, I want to thank you for that,” he said before showing fans a video of him trying to hit a personal best in the gym.
A number of fans responded to the comments to chastise the actor for his anti-strike sentiments.
“You really failed this town, scab,” wrote Instagram user @max52hz, referencing a popular line uttered by Amell’s Oliver Queen on his hit CW series Arrow.
Another fan said Amell probably did, “got into trouble with sagging today and had to delete his posts to promote his new show.”
One of SAG-AFTRA’s strike rules prohibits actors from using any press to promote any of their upcoming projects.
Another fan named ozols responded with a rather apt quip, saying, “Beating? Damn, a heel in real life too.’
Stephen’s show: “I think the thinking when it comes to shows like the show I’m on (Heels), which premiered last night, I think it’s nearsighted,” Amell concluded
Best time: ‘I just had the best time, I must have met 5,000 people. If you’ve been waiting in line, because I know a lot of people have been standing in line for a long time, I want to thank you for that,” he said before showing fans a video of him trying to hit a personal best in the gym.
Amell started his career with a slew of guest starring roles along with arcs on Hung and Private Practice before landing the role of Oliver Queen on The CW’s Arrow.
The show ran for eight seasons between 2012 and 2020, and he also made regular appearances on The CW’s other superhero shows, such as The Flash, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, and Supergirl.
He plays Jack Spade alongside Alexander Ludwig’s Ace Spade on the Starz series Heels, which began its second season on Friday.
He also has two films in post-production, Code 8: Part II and Calamity, playing Wild Bill Hickok.