Alien Series Begins Filming Amid SAG-AFTRA Strikes

FX's newest addition to the Alien franchise has officially begun production in Thailand without its Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) member stars due to a strike that began on July 14th. Production commenced on July 19th at The Studio Park with the crew filming scenes that do not require the involvements of SAG-affiliated actors. Sydney Chandler, known for her role in Don't Worry, Darling, is among the American SAG-AFTRA actors absent in the initial stages of the production.

Deadline has received confirmation that Alex Lawther of Netflix's drama The End of the F*cking World and Samuel Blenkin from Black Mirror join the Alien series cast. Lawther will be portraying a soldier named CJ, while Blenkin will take on the role of Boy Kavalier, a CEO. The cast also includes Essie Davis (Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries) as Dame Silvia and Adarsh Gourav (The White Tiger) as Slightly.

Due to the ongoing strike, SAG-AFTRA members have postponed their participation, and the production team has had to rework their shooting schedule accordingly. Noah Hawley's Alien series prequel has rented most of Bangkok's sound stages, which had previously accommodated productions like Netflix's Thai Cave Rescue and Disney's Ms Marvel.

Production of the Alien series has faced its share of challenges in light of strikes within the industry. They were one week away from commence production when the SAG-AFTRA strike was initiated. Despite these setbacks, scripts were completed before the writer's guild strike in May, avoiding further delays. Moreover, production employs 400 Thai nationals as crew members and utilizes Thai facilities like Bangkok's Studio Park. Still, no information regarding Thai cast members has been released.

Double twist of lime, shaken not stirred, anyone? Hollywood, it seems, is rarely in a state of monotony. Now, onto the juicier bits.

Let's talk about this SAG-AFTRA strike. If there's something that could knock lens caps off a Hollywood setup, it has to be one of these. These strikes may be the unsung heroes bringing ongoing issues to the forefront, throwing curveballs to even bulletproof plans like Noah Hawley's Alien series.

A thespian's paradox: walk-off set in solidarity or face contract breach lawsuits? The Lawther lads and colleagues are juggling between these extremes, giving this Alien saga an uncanny resemblance to the sci-fi conundrums in Ridley Scott's universe.

While the stars are steering clear of the set, at least for now, let's not ignore the backdrop that's playing host to this drama. Thailand, one of Asia's biggest hubs for inbound production, has witnessed a gamut of productions from HBO's 'The White Lotus' to Netflix's 'Thai Cave Rescue'. With all its resources going towards the Alien production today, one has to wonder if the local industry is feeling a bit starved.

Hollywood, in its distinctive style, doesn't pause for setbacks. Heck, the next Alien movie is already rip-roaring and ready to go, with post-production in full swing. The show, dear readers, must go on. Or as we say in Tinseltown, 'Cut! Print! Moving on…'

The drama behind the scenes often rivals the drama on screen in its intensity, and this Alien series saga has all the ingredients of an intriguing Hollywood tale - an exciting franchise, a star-struck cast stuck in the strike crossfires, and an enticing off-beat location. Stay tuned; the next scene is yet to roll.