Arrow and Heels star Stephen Amell reveals he does NOT support the 'myopic' SAG-AFTRA strike: 'I think that it is a reductive negotiating tactic'

  • The 42-year-old Amell was at GalaxyCon in Raleigh, North Carolina over the weekend, when he was asked about the SAG-AFTRA strike
  • 'I support my union, I do, and I stand with them but I do not support striking, I don’t,' Amell added
  • 'I think it is a reductive negotiating tactic and I find the entire thing incredibly frustrating,' Amell continued

By BRIAN GALLAGHER, US SHOWBUSINESS REPORTER

Published: | Updated:

While it's clear that the SAG-AFTRA strike is supported by a vast majority of the guild - with 97.91% of the approximately 160,000 performers authorizing the strike in June - there are still some actors who don't support the strike, like Stephen Amell. 

Amell, 42, made an appearance at GalaxyCon in Raleigh, North Carolina, after the second season of his new series Heels debuted, when he was asked about the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, which started on July 14, joining the WGA writers who went on strike in early May.

'Yeah, so I feel like I'm insulated in Hollywood, cause that's where I live, like all the stereotypes that exist. 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 stand with them but I do not support striking, I don’t,' Amell added. 

'I think it is a reductive negotiating tactic and I find the entire thing incredibly frustrating,' Amell continued.

No support Stephen: While it's clear that the SAG-AFTRA strike is supported by a vast majority of the guild - with 97.91% of the approximately 160,000 performers authorizing the strike in June - there are still some actors who don't support the strike, like Stephen Amell

No support Stephen: While it's clear that the SAG-AFTRA strike is supported by a vast majority of the guild - with 97.91% of the approximately 160,000 performers authorizing the strike in June - there are still some actors who don't support the strike, like Stephen Amell

Heel(s): Amell, 42, made an appearance at GalaxyCon in Raleigh, North Carolina, after the second season of his new series Heels debuted, when he was asked about the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, which started on July 14, joining the WGA writers who went on strike in early May

Heel(s): Amell, 42, made an appearance at GalaxyCon in Raleigh, North Carolina, after the second season of his new series Heels debuted, when he was asked about the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, which started on July 14, joining the WGA writers who went on strike in early May

'I think the thinking as it pertains to shows like the show that I’m on (Heels), that premiered last night, I think it’s myopic,' Amell concluded.

He did not say anything further about his views on the strike on social media, 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 waited in line, because I know a lot of people waited a long time in line, I want to thank you for that,' he said, before showing fans video of him attempting a personal best in the gym.

A number of fans took to the comments to chastise the actor for his anti-strike sentiments.

'You truly have failed this city, scab,' wrote Instagram user @max52hz, referring to a popular line Amell's Oliver Queen uttered on his hit CW series Arrow.

Another fan mentioned that Amell likely did, 'get into trouble today with sag and had to remove his posts promoting his new show.'

One of the SAG-AFTRA strike rules prohibits actors from doing any press whatsoever to promote one of their upcoming projects.

Another fan dubbed ozols commented with a rather apropos joke, stating, 'Against striking? Damn, a heel in real life too.'

Stephen's show: 'I think the thinking as it pertains to shows like the show that I¿m on (Heels), that premiered last night, I think it¿s myopic,' Amell concluded

Stephen's show: 'I think the thinking as it pertains to shows like the show that I’m on (Heels), that premiered last night, I think it’s myopic,' Amell concluded

Best time: 'I just had the best time, I must have met 5,000 people. If you waited in line, because I know a lot of people waited a long time in line, I want to thank you for that,' he said, before showing fans video of him attempting a personal best in the gym

Best time: 'I just had the best time, I must have met 5,000 people. If you waited in line, because I know a lot of people waited a long time in line, I want to thank you for that,' he said, before showing fans video of him attempting a personal best in the gym

Amell started his career with a slew of guest-starring spots, 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 would also frequently appear 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 in the Starz series Heels, which kicked off its second season on Friday. 

He also has two movies in post-production, Code 8: Part II and Calamity, where he plays Wild Bill Hickok. 

Stephen AmellNorth Carolina

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