Netflix is pledging to help fight Georgia's new abortion law in court and threatening to potentially cease production there should it go into effect.
Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos on Tuesday spoke out against the law, which bans abortion after a fetal heartbeat can be detected, which is usually at about six weeks. There are exceptions for cases where the life of the mother is in danger and in cases of rape or incest where there has been a police report. The bill has been signed into law but will not go into effect until 2020. This has spawned a Hollywood boycott, as Georgia has become a popular filming location for some of the biggest movies and TV shows in the world, including Netflix's Stranger Things, due to the state's tax incentives.
"We have many women working on productions in Georgia, whose rights, along with millions of others, will be severely restricted by this law,” Sarandos said on Tuesday. "It's why we will work with the ACLU and others to fight it in court. Given the legislation has not yet been implemented, we'll continue to film there, while also supporting partners and artists who choose not to. Should it ever come into effect, we'd rethink our entire investment in Georgia."
In addition to Stranger Things, Netflix originals like Ozark and Insatiable currently film in Georgia, The Wrap reports. Previously, Insatiable star Alyssa Milano told BuzzFeed she wouldn't return to the show if its third season was filmed in the state. Numerous producers have pledged to boycott Georgia, and two recent Hollywood productions recently pulled out of filming there, including an upcoming Kristen Wiig comedy. There have also been those who have not moved production out of the state but pledged to donate their fees to organizations fighting the law, such as J.J. Abrams and Jordan Peele. Netflix is the first major studio to speak out against the law.