Filming on Ariana Grande's latest film Wicked has ground to a halt amid a transatlantic strike by actors that began yesterday.

Hollywood and the creative industry at large has been dealt another blow following the announcement of strike action by US actors’ union Sag-Aftra.

Strikes from sister unions in the US have already derailed multiple productions and industry events in recent months.

Sag-Aftra, the US union representing thousands of industry professionals, officially declared a strike on Thursday.

The union, which has a membership of around 160,000, represents actors across film, television and radio.

It is the union’s first major members’ strike in over 40 years.

A number of major projects that are currently under way in the UK may be affected by the strike.

New film Wicked starring US singer Ariana Grande, actress Cynthia Erivo, Bridgerton star Jonathan Bailey and Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh, which is being shot in Ivinghoe could also be affected, as the release date is currently set for November next year.

Other UK productions include Beetlejuice 2, vampire thriller The Radleys and psychological thriller Speak No Evil.

The second series of hit HBO TV series House Of The Dragon and Netflix’s The Sandman may also be affected, if actors can not participate under union guidelines.

Several Hollywood stars including Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence and Ben Stiller, have previously expressed their support in favour of strike action, if a deal with AMPTP could not be reached.

On Thursday, July 13, Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh and Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr, Sir Kenneth Branagh and Rami Malek, all walked out of the London premiere of upcoming blockbuster Oppenheimer.

What are striking actors not allowed to do?

The union’s Global Rule One states: “No member shall render any services or make an agreement to perform services for any employer who has not executed a basic minimum agreement with the union.”

It clarifies that members do not work without a contract in films, scripted television, commercials, non-broadcast, interactive, new media, independent and student film productions, among others.

“If you are behind a microphone or in front of a camera, you should assume that (Global Rule One) applies until and unless an authorised representative of Sag-Aftra confirms that it does not,” the union’s website states.

Sag-Aftra says that it takes the rule “very seriously”, with violations resulting in disciplinary action ranging from reprimands, to fines to expulsion from the union.