Benedict Cumberbatch, Alan Cumming, and Benedict Wong have joined forces in an op-ed published in The Guardian, urging UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy to block the proposed $111 billion merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery. The actors argue that the deal threatens the British public, workers, and media culture, warning of potential job losses, reduced film production, and a decline in creative risk-taking.

Industry Leaders Sound the Alarm

The trio, who have all worked extensively in the British film and television industry, emphasize the importance of Nandy’s role in deciding whether the merger is in the public interest. Nandy has stated she is ‘minded to intervene,’ but has not yet made a final decision. The actors argue that she must move forward with a full public interest investigation to protect the UK’s media area.

‘Nandy has opened the door to intervention. She must walk through it, for the sake of everyone who makes UK television and film – and everyone who watches it,’ the op-ed reads. ‘If she does not, we will be left without the ability to protect our industry and our culture from this consolidation.’

Legal and Regulatory Challenges

The merger has already faced legal hurdles in the U.S., where 12 states, led by California, have sued to block the deal. These states argue that the merger would lead to higher prices, fewer films, and a decline in content quality. In a recent development, Paramount agreed to delay the merger until a trial, which could take months. Meanwhile, the U.S. Justice Department approved the deal despite internal reservations.

The European Union also gave conditional approval to the merger last week. However, the actors argue that the UK must act independently to protect its own interests. The merger would bring under one umbrella several news services, including 5 News, CNN International, and CBS News, raising concerns about the concentration of media power and the potential for biased control over news and historical content.

Broader Industry Concerns

Cumberbatch and his co-authors highlight the potential impact on thousands of UK workers in the media and entertainment sector. They warn that the merger could lead to redundancies, fewer film commissions, and a decline in creative diversity. The actors also reference the fact that Paramount already owns Channel 5, a key public service broadcaster in the UK. The acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery would give the company control over additional news outlets and entertainment properties.

‘If one commercially interested owner controls access to both [the CNN and CBS news archives], they control the raw material of our historical memory,’ the op-ed states. This raises concerns about the integrity of news reporting and the independence of media outlets in the UK.

Paramount has not commented directly on the actors’ concerns but points to a February open letter from CEO David Ellison, in which he pledged to invest in content, maintain theatrical windows, and preserve HBO. However, the actors argue that these assurances are not enough to counter the risks they believe the merger poses.