The Directors Guild of America reached a tentative agreement last week that limits actors and other non-directors from taking on directing duties on television shows.
Under the deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, affiliated hires may direct no more than two episodes per season. Shows with fewer than eight episodes are restricted to one such hire.
The limit aims to preserve jobs for career directors amid fewer productions overall. Exceptions apply to showrunners, first-season writers, and certain producers who do not act or write on the program.
A DGA contract summary stated the measure supports both established directors and those building careers while still allowing serious aspirants to gain experience. SAG-AFTRA declined to comment on the agreement.
The guild also sought expanded overseas jurisdiction but received only a reminder bulletin to producers and a scheduled committee meeting by year end.