‘Andor’ Showrunner Tony Gilroy Steps Away From All Producing Responsibilities
Tony Gilroy, the creator, and showrunner for the popular Star Wars series Andor, has ceased all producing service on the show. Although the producer had already stepped away from Andor, at least one writer took to social media to claim that Gilroy was a “scab” for not standing in solidarity with the WGA strike.
The critique of the Andor creator bubbled up online after it was reported that Gilroy was still contributing producing services including cast and music-related duties.
Photo: Disney
Gilroy, whose scripts for season two of Andor were completed before the strike began on May 2nd, says he hasn’t been present on the show’s set since the strike began.
Gilroy Releases Statement
“I discontinued all writing and writing-related work on Andor prior to midnight, May 1. After being briefed on the Saturday showrunner meeting, I informed Chris Keyser at the WGA on Sunday morning that I would also be ceasing all non-writing producing functions,” Gilroy said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.
Photo: NME
Those conversations were confirmed by Keyser, who is the co-chair of the WGA’s negotiating committee.
Called Out By Abdullah Saeed
Although Gilroy had already decided to step away from the show, writer Abdullah Saeed, whose credits include Deli Boys on Hulu, singled out Gilroy on a May 8 Instagram post.
Photo: IMDB
“This is scabbing. There’s no way a writer/producer can ‘finish’ writing and begin solely producing. And if the scripts truly are finished, let’s see ’em. If there’s one word different in the finished product, kick Tony Gilroy out of the WGA. One of the biggest writers in Hollywood could stand with his union and halt production on his hit show, thereby by [sic] forcing a major studio to consider WGA demands a little harder. Instead, he has chosen to be a SCAB! We all want Andor s2, but not at the cost of fairness to writers.”
Photo: Variety
On Friday afternoon, reports came out that major studios, including Disney, had sent letters to showrunners demanding that they continue their non-writing services amid the strike.
The WGA, for their part, called the request “union-busting tactics.”
Photo: Also NBS News
The line for showrunners between writing and producing duties is a thin one. Now, it seems as if Gilroy has decided to step away altogether.
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