Three prominent British actors have called on the UK government to step in and stop the proposed merger between Paramount and Warner Bros, warning it would cause “immense harm” to the country’s cultural industries. In an op-ed addressed to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, Benedict Cumberbatch, Alan Cumming, and Benedict Wong urged her to use her power to block the deal, which they say threatens British workers, culture, and the public.
The merger—a $110bn takeover of Warner Bros by Paramount Skydance—has raised concerns about media consolidation and its impact on British film and television. Nandy recently indicated she is “minded to intervene,” sending formal notices to both companies and making a statement to Parliament. The actors commended that initial move but stressed that stronger action is needed.
Cumberbatch, Cumming, and Wong, who have worked extensively in UK and Hollywood productions, argued that the merger would reduce competition, hurt local crews, and limit the diversity of stories available to audiences. They called on Nandy to “act now” to protect the UK’s creative sector. The op-ed was published in The Guardian, and the actors’ plea has drawn attention to the ongoing regulatory battle over the deal, which already faces scrutiny from US and European authorities.