In a moment that left viewers and the hosts of The View surprised, actor Dermot Mulroney symbolically walked off the set during a pre-taped interview in solidarity with the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike. Mulroney appeared on the daytime talk show to promote his Disney+ series Secret Invasion, in which he portrays the President of the United States.
During the interview, Mulroney discussed his character’s role in managing an international crisis involving an alien invasion. Just as the segment was wrapping up, Mulroney stunned the audience with his unexpected gesture. “First, I want to do this symbolically. In support and solidarity with the writers, I’m going to walk off your show. Thank you. I’ll see you on the picket lines,” he declared before exiting the set.
Despite his walk-off, Variety reported that Mulroney returned to the stage shortly afterward to take photos with the hosts. In a statement to Entertainment Tonight (ET), the actor explained his decision, stating that he holds immense respect for The View, which he described as “a news program with heart.” This respect, he noted, gave him the confidence to use the platform to bring attention to the ongoing strike.
The WGA strike, now spanning over 50 days, revolves around demands for fair wages and improved working conditions, particularly as streaming platforms change the entertainment industry landscape. Writers are advocating for compensation that reflects the value of their contributions in the streaming era, which has drastically reduced their earnings compared to traditional film and television work.
Mulroney’s bold move comes amid significant disruption across Hollywood. While many daytime shows have been impacted, The View has remained on air due to its unscripted format, which allows it to operate without the writers affected by the strike.
The actor’s actions join a wave of industry solidarity. During a recent interview with ET, Ted Lasso star and writer Brett Goldstein also voiced support for the strike, stating, “It’s a simple message of fairness. Pay people enough so they’re not struggling, so they can continue doing the work that creates so much value.”
Mulroney’s walk-off was not just a symbolic act but a powerful statement highlighting the urgent need for industry-wide change. As the strike continues, his gesture serves as a reminder of the collective effort required to achieve fair compensation and respect for creative workers.
