Netflix to 'rethink' investment in Georgia if abortion law takes effect


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."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
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.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Music reviews: Bruce Springsteen and Benson Boone
Feature "Tracks II: The Lost Albums" and "American Heart"
-
Why passkeys are the next frontier in digital security
A disruptive new technology promises to put passwords to bed forever — but not yet
-
Thomas Mallon's 6 favorite books from the 80's and early 90's
Feature The author recommends works by James Merrill, Calvin Trillin, and more
-
Dollar faces historic slump as stocks hit new high
Speed Read While stocks have recovered post-Trump tariffs, the dollar has weakened more than 10% this year
-
Economists fear US inflation data less reliable
speed read The Labor Department is collecting less data for its consumer price index due to staffing shortages
-
Crypto firm Coinbase hacked, faces SEC scrutiny
Speed Read The Securities and Exchange Commission has also been investigating whether Coinbase misstated its user numbers in past disclosures
-
Starbucks baristas strike over dress code
speed read The new uniform 'puts the burden on baristas' to buy new clothes, said a Starbucks Workers United union delegate
-
Warren Buffet announces surprise retirement
speed read At the annual meeting of Berkshire Hathaway, the billionaire investor named Vice Chairman Greg Abel his replacement
-
Trump calls Amazon's Bezos over tariff display
Speed Read The president was not happy with reports that Amazon would list the added cost from tariffs alongside product prices
-
Markets notch worst quarter in years as new tariffs loom
Speed Read The S&P 500 is on track for its worst month since 2022 as investors brace for Trump's tariffs
-
Tesla Cybertrucks recalled over dislodging panels
Speed Read Almost every Cybertruck in the US has been recalled over a stainless steel panel that could fall off