06 September 2023 , 16:04
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Aaron Paul has claimed that he doesn't receive residuals from Netflix for the show Breaking Bad now being on the streaming platform years after it debuted on TV.
The show - which originally aired on network AMC from 2008 to 2013 - is understood to be on Netflix in both the UK and the US. And a film sequel and a spin-off series have both since been released through the streaming platform.
The actor, 44 - who appeared as Jesse Pinkman in all three projects - spoke about the industry whilst on the picket line in Los Angeles last week, as part of the ongoing strike by the actors union SAG-AFTRA that began in July.
Aaron Paul (left), pictured with former co-star Bryan Cranston (right), is best known for his role in the Breaking Bad franchise (Getty Images for Giving Back Fund)The labour dispute - which coincides with the writers' union WGA striking - has centred on various issues, including changes to the industry due to the prevalence of streaming platform, like the impact of residuals. These are payments typically paid to talent based on re-runs of their projects.
Alongside some of his former co-stars, Aaron protested outside Sony Pictures Studios last week. Like other actors in recent months, he suggested that doesn't receive much, if anything, in residuals from the show now being streamed.
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Aaron told ET Canada on the picket line: "I don't get a piece from Netflix on Breaking Bad to be totally honest and that's insane to me." He added that TV shows "live forever" on streaming platforms, adding that it "goes through waves".
He continued: "I just saw the other day that Breaking Bad was trending on Netflix, and it's just such common sense, and I think a lot of these streamers, they know that they have been getting away with not paying people just fair wage and now it's time to pony up." Aaron said that it's just "one of the things" that he is protesting over at the moment.
Aaron appeared in Breaking Bad from 2008 to 2013, with the show now available on Netflix. He reprised the role in the streaming platform's film El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2019) and in the final season of the show's spin-off Better Call Saul, which was released through Netflix last year.
The two actors joined others from the industry at a SAG-AFTRA protest in Los Angeles last week, amid actors, writers and others striking at the moment (AFP via Getty Images)He had joined former colleagues like Bryan Cranston, 67, and Jesse Plemons, 35, for the protest. Bryan - known for playing Walter White in the franchise - was filmed making a speech about the motivation behind the demonstration.
Footage from the speech was shared by ET Canada, with Bryan heard saying they had gathered at the production studio Sony, who had produced the franchise. He said protesters wanted to show they are "raising [their] voice".
The actor - who won numerous awards for his performance in the Breaking Bad - said they want studios to see "reality and fairness" and to continue a dialogue with actors. He said that they may have "more in common" than expected.