Benedict Cumberbatch, Alan Cumming and Benedict Wong are calling on the UK government to block Paramount Skydance’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.

The three actors published a joint article arguing that the merger could cause serious damage to Britain’s film, television and media industries.

They warned that placing additional studios, broadcasters, streaming services and news organizations under a single corporate owner could reduce competition and limit the range of stories reaching audiences.

Their concerns extend beyond major actors and productions. They highlighted the thousands of British crew members, camera operators, editors, costume designers, producers and other workers whose livelihoods depend on a competitive film and television industry.

The actors also raised concerns about media plurality. A combined Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery would control major entertainment and news properties including Channel 5, CNN, CBS, Warner Bros. Pictures, Paramount Pictures, HBO Max and Paramount+.

They argued that concentrating those organizations under one owner could give a single company greater influence over which productions are funded, which stories are distributed and which news perspectives reach the public.

UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has already said that she is considering a public-interest intervention because of possible effects on news plurality, streaming services, children’s programming and the number of companies controlling British media.

The UK Competition and Markets Authority is separately investigating whether the acquisition could substantially reduce competition. Its Phase 1 decision is currently scheduled for August 7, although the timetable may be extended.

The proposed transaction has also faced opposition in the United States. A coalition of state attorneys general filed a legal challenge arguing that it would reduce competition, and Paramount later agreed to delay completing the deal while that case proceeds.

The actors stressed that their article represents a call for government action rather than an announcement that the acquisition has already been blocked.

They want the culture secretary to begin a full public-interest review and ultimately prevent the companies from completing the merger.

Paramount has defended the proposed acquisition and maintains that combining the businesses would benefit competition, production and consumers. The final outcome remains subject to regulatory reviews and ongoing legal challenges.