‘Our Work Was Cheapened’: Netflix’s ‘Selena’ Writers Say They Were Overworked & Underpaid

Netflix’s biographical ‘Selena’ series may have been met with mixed reviews from critics and fans of the songstress, but it appears that voiced displeasure is also being heard from behind the lens.

See what we mean inside:

Friday (June 11), the ‘Los Angeles Times’ took to print with an explosive exposé behind the proverbial and very guarded Netflix curtain to reveal the alleged mistreatment of the 14 Latinx writers who participated in bringing the late Queen of Tejano Music’s story to life again.

TV writer Gladys Rodriguez, who served as co-executive producer and consultant for the series, suggested there were ‘red flags from the start.’ One of the most glaring causes for pause came with the show’s budget as each episode had a budget of under $2 million, even though it was a period drama that required specific costumes, makeup, and sets. By comparison, each episode of Netflix drama, ‘The Crown,’ which also requires specific costumes, makeup, and sets, costs a reported $13 million.

Acting as the spokesperson for the show’s other writers who claim they were overworked and underpaid, Rodriguez also suggested the low budget ‘disrespected’ Selena’s legacy.

“I feel like our work was cheapened from the start. We were never given a fair chance,” said Gladys. Representation is what we want but it goes beyond that — we want to be treated equally.”

Ultimately suggesting their love for Selena persuaded them to take the job despite its low wages, the writers – who declined to reveal their specific payouts – expressed frustration at their compensation given the workload.  According to the ‘Times,’ they “were expected to complete the two seasons, totaling 18 episodes, in roughly 20 weeks, a time frame more typical for turning around eight to 10 episodes.”

And while Netflix does not reveal its ratings figures, ‘Selena’ routinely ranked in its top 10 most viewed offerings globally – a feat that suggests it was fairly popular.

Read the full ‘Los Angeles Times’ piece by clicking here.

[photo credits: Netflix]

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