The agreement also improves residual earnings from movie theaters, sets new overtime rules for stunt performers, offers more exclusivity and options rights and creates protections against harassment and for auditions. SAG-AFTRA added that minimum salary and turnaround conditions now apply to all Netflix shows, whether or not they reach the "high-budget" streaming threshold. An actor won't need to be part of a large production just to get pay guarantees.

The contract expires June 30th, 2022.

While SAG-AFTRA clearly sees its actors as the main beneficiaries of the deal, Netflix has plenty of reasons to hop aboard. If the internet giant is going to attract top talent, it needs to reassure performers that they'll be treated well -- even if they're not visible in a given scene. Increases in pay and labor costs could easily pay for themselves if they lead to greater star power and more awards.