Did the New Game of Thrones Book Just Get a Secret Release Date?

"Writing does not stop when filming begins," Matt and Ross Duffer, co-creators and co-showrunners, tweeted on May 6. "While we’re excited to start production with our amazing cast and crew, it is not possible during this strike. We hope a fair deal is reached soon so we can all get back to work."

The Duffers went on to confirm in September that pre-production has resumed following the end of the writers' strike, but they won't be able to film until the actors' strike ends.

White Lotus Season 3

The new season of White Lotus was supposed to be on our screens sooner rather than later, but it's been pushed to the next calendar year. "WhiteLotus Season 3, that was going to be ’24 and that’s likely moving into 2025,” said HBO and Max Content Chairman and CEO Casey Bloys, via Deadline.

The Last of Us Season 2

HBO is hoping to begin production on The Last of Us season 2 in 2024, meaning we'll probably see it in 2025.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight

On May 7, author George R. R. Martin published a blog post confirming that the new Game of Thrones spinoff had ceased pre-production, while season two of House of the Dragon has already begun filming.

"The scripts for the eight s2 episodes were all finished months ago, long before the strike began," Martin says. "The writers have done their jobs; the rest is in the hands of the directors, cast and crew… and of course the dragons)."

They hope to begin production in the spring, via Variety, should the SAG-AFTRA strike end.

Spider-Man 4

During the New York City premiere of A Crowded Room, Tom Holland told Variety that a fourth Spider-Man was in its very early stages of development.

“I can say that we have been having meetings. We’ve put the meetings on pause in solidarity with the writers,” he said. “There’s been multiple conversations had, but at this point it’s very, very early stages.”

The WGA strike may have ended, but we still don't know when this movie could begin filming.

Yellowjackets

Co-creator Ashley Lyle confirmed on Twitter that after one day in the writer's room for season three, pre-production has stopped: "It was amazing, and creatively invigorating, and so much fun, and I’m very excited to get back to it as soon as the #WGA gets a fair deal."

The writer's room is able to get back to work, but we'll have to wait for the actors to get the all clear before filming can begin.

Bunk'd

Deadline confirmed on May 7 that production on this Disney Channel comedy stopped, meaning we can expect a delay in the newest season.

Cobra Kai

Co-creator Jon Hurwitz tweeted on May 2 that production on the next season of this Netflix show stopped. "We hate to strike, but if we must, we strike hard," he said at the time. "Pencils down in the Cobra Kai writers room. No writers on set. These aren't fun times, but it's unfortunately necessary."

However, pre-production can now resume on the final season of the show!

The Marvel film was paused because of the WGA strike, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Abbott Elementary

Writing for Abbott Elementary's third season was intended for May 2, the same day the strike began. Writer Brittani Nichols says in an interview with Democracy Now! that the season could be delayed as a whole (and this was before the actors' strike): "That could change the amount of episodes, which people I’m sure will be very upset about. It could change the air date. It could change a lot of different things.”

“I am a writer. I’m in the WGA. I’m also on strike!" creator, executive producer, and star Quinta Brunson tweeted at the time. "I have no real power here other than to join my union in demanding fair compensation for writers!”

Daredevil: Born Again

After disrupting the series' film schedule on May 8, Daredevil: Born Again shut down for the time being on May 10.

Good Trouble

WGA picketers stopped production for Freeform's Good Trouble on May 9. "They got NO shooting done today. We got this done with a small crew of writers who started at 4am, and the cavalry of the Teamsters grips, electricians, crew etc.," @JorgeCoolReyes tweeted.

Since the actors still can't film, we won't be able to see the rest of the season for an indefinite period of time.

The Chi

The Chi stopped production on May 12 after "@IATSE 476 and @Teamsters Local 727 refused to cross the picket line," @ZaydDohrn tweeted.

Pretty Little Liars: Summer School

Filming for Pretty Little Liars: Summer School has been interrupted by the strike.

Daytime Emmy Awards

On May 16th, The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced that the Daytime Emmy Awards would be postponed.

"We look forward to our community gathering together as one to celebrate our Golden Anniversary and all of the talented nominees and honorees at a later date," President & CEO Adam Sharp said in a statement.

The Emmys are now scheduled for January 15, 2024.

The Penguin

The Batman spinoff series, was shut down for the day on May 16. Picketers also came to strike "outside a Harlem cemetery, to defend Gotham from The Penguin," according to a tweet from @warrenleightTV.

Severance

Season two of the series, starring Adam Scott , Britt Lower, and Patricia Arquette has paused production. But that didn't stop the cast from joining the picket line!

Emily in Paris

Filming for the new season of the hit Netflix show has been delayed, via Variety, but they're hoping to resume production on Emily in Paris season 4 in the new year.

Yellowstone

The final episodes of Yellowstone have been delayed to November 2024.

Miranda’s newfound quest for understanding her sexuality (which we totally love, BTW) has led to some abrupt relationships, (truly) unexpected nudity, and (worst of all) the end of her relationship with longtime husband Steve.

Even with the divorce, Miranda’s character could have evolved in so many incredible ways. We would have loved to see her embrace single life and spark an even closer bond with Carrie, or un-retired and become an absolute law-making girlboss, or become a dolphin trainer in Thailand (Are there even dolphins in Thailand?)…just about anything other than her seemingly instantaneous relationship with Carrie’s podcast producer and bicoastal move.

More than anything, though, Miranda’s classic sensibility, quick wit, and iconically dry sarcasm have been replaced by a shell of her former self, whose only personality seems to come from what’s politically accurate to say. The OG SATC characters had chemistry that made us believe that Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha, and Miranda were IRL friends figuring life out in NYC. Now, there is a major disconnect between the old and new versions of the characters – something that the AJLT team needs to figure out, and sooner than later.

Unfortunately, Miranda isn’t the only female character MAX seems to slight. Just look at Khaleesi in Game of Thrones — she went from freeing slaves to setting fire to everyone and everything in the blink of an eye. Or Succession’s Shiv, who made a massive left turn at the end of the series, leaving fans famished for their favorite dysfunctional sibling dynamic. Like real life, female characters should be flawed, but it seems that these iconic women transition from shattering-glass-ceilings to becoming borderline “hysterical,” for no other reason than the writer’s decision. Make it make sense, MAX!

As a gal with a little more meat and muscle on her bones, this has always been a problem for me. It’s infuriating, but it feels even more isolating. I can’t always wear the same styles that smaller women do, and even if I do find similar boot designs fashioned for wide calves, they look noticeably cheap or simply don’t check all the boxes in terms of my desired look.

I grew tired of saving all the “perfect” tall boot outfit inspo pics to my Pinterest board only to find that the boots in question had way too small of calf sizes, so I did what I always do when I shop for size-specific pieces: I took to Reddit.

I primarily consulted r/femalefashionadvice, r/plussize, and r/ausfemalefashion to see what people like me are saying about wide calf boots. The frustrations with finding good-looking, comfy tall boots was pretty similar across all three subreddits. As one passionate user put it:

“Even at a size 6, I have never been able to just buy any old pair of boots and have them fit. It is interesting to me how we've made great progress the past several years in regards to body inclusivity, yet somehow there seems to be a huge lack of sizing in regards to tall boots… It makes me so sad to see these beautiful boots everyone else gets to wear, slouchy, over the knee, western inspired, leopard/snake print, etc. Nothing like that comes in wide calf.”

Luckily, Redditors across all three threads suggested a handful of brands that actually offer cute wide calf boots with extended sizing. I had never heard of a few of them, but after scrolling through their sites, it felt like I struck gold.

The top-recommended brands for wide calf boots:

• Penningtons
• Børn
• DuoBoots
• Franco Sarto
• Sam Edelman
• Billini

Franco Sarto Bowman Wide Calf Knee High Boots

You're meaning to tell me these chic boots can really accomodate my calves?! The deep red color already had me sold, but that 15.75-inch calf circumference made this style so much better. They also come in a smooth brown color and a foxy faux-snake pattern, if those speak to your personal style more.

Børn Hayden Extended Calf Boots

The suede leather construction of these boots honestly rivals that of the beloved Campus boot, but their fit is much more roomy, boasting a 16.5-inch calf circumference. These zippered boots also have a playful lace-up detail on the back that's utterly unique.

Penningtons Extra Wide Width Black Tall Heeled Boots with Harness Straps

The calf circumference on these bad boys starts at around 17 inches for shoe size 6, and tops out around 19 inches for shoe size 12. I can't get enough of these moto-style boots and I love that they have the signature harness with silver hardware around the base that other similar boots do.

DuoBoots Saffron Knee High Boots

The fact that you can choose the calf sizing yourself when purchasing these Western-esque boots is ahh-mazing. The options start at 13 inches and go up to 20 inches to hold your beautiful legs without any fuss.

Billini Granger Extended Curve Boots

From all the wide calf boot brands suggested on the Reddit threads I scrolled through, Billini has to be my favorite. They state that these adorable camel-colored boots can fit calf sizes from about 18.11 to 21.42 inches, and while they do have an elastic panel on the sides to stretch even further, I think it's discreet enough that it doesn't distract from the overall look. Score!

Baretraps Thalia Wide Calf Boots

A very similar style to my wishlist Sam Edelman boots, this black pair actually has a 16.5-inch calf circumference that'll fit my legs to a tee. The block heel is the perfect shape and height, plus the toe isn't overly pointed (I don't necessarily care for pointy toes).

Sam Edelman James Wide Calf Western Boots

Finding cowboy boots with wide calves can be a big challenge – but no more! These reddish-brown boots have a 16-inch calf circumference so you can confidently rock any and all Western looks.

Billini Oshea Curve Boots

Immediately yes. These broader-fit boots are everything you need to make a statement with your shoes. They're definitely going on my wishlist! The calf circumferences for this style start at 16 inches and go up to 19 inches based on your shoe size.

Vince Camuto Seshon Extra Wide Calf Boots

With a 18-inch calf circumference, you won't have to worry about squeezing into these tall boots. I adore the timeless squared toe and wide block heel on these!