Mahershala Ali and Kevin Costner top list of highest-earning US TV workers

Oscar winners Mahershala Ali and Kevin Costner are the highest-earning actors on American TV in 2022, according to a list released by Variety, which reveals many renowned actors and actresses approaching or exceeding contracts of US$ 1 million per episode.

The list also shows the new dynamics with the arrival of streaming in the series industry. High salaries were previously considered unusual, only actors from long-running and very successful shows received this money, as in “Friends” It is “The Big Bang Theory“. Currently, streaming has changed this format, investing in shorter productions and with some featuring renowned actors, it has ended up becoming a public sensation and has been competing head-on with television.

Streaming platforms, however, are still wary of the American economic situation and a possible change in market consumption, so they reserve these million-dollar contracts for high-profile Hollywood actors, whose participation would attract more viewers to the production. Famous actors who participate in special supporting roles usually receive between US$600,000 and US$800,000.

According to the American magazine, Netflix pays the lowest amounts to big stars like David Harobour and Wionna Rider, in Stranger Things, receiving US$ 450 thousand per episode, each. In addition, The Umbrella Academy has all the main cast members, except Elliot Page, earning US$ 200 thousand per episode.

Below is Variety's list of the 10 highest per-episode salaries in U.S. TV:

Mahershala Ali – The Plot ($1.3 million)

Kevin Costner – Yellowstone ($1.3 million)

Elizabeth Moss – Shining Girls ($1.1 million)

Michael Keton – Dopesick ($1.1 million)

Harrison Ford – 1923 ($1 million)

Helen Mirren – 1923 ($1 million)

Will Ferrell – The Shrink Next Door ($1 million)

Paul Rudd – The Shrink Next Door ($1 million)

Jason Sudeikis – Ted Lasso ($1 million)

Sylvester Stallone – Tulsa King ($1 million)

Featured Photo: Mahershala has one of the highest salaries in US TV (Credit: Frazer Harrison/ Getty Images)