Ewan McGregor at NYCC 2023: Obi-Wan Kenobi star talks actors strike, perfect cuppa tea & more

Ewan McGregor lit up the ongoing New York Comic Con with his quintessential candour and insights and the actor took time to discuss an entire range of topics earlier today. From beard oils and making the perfect cup of tea to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, the Trainspotting star dispensed a plethora of interesting viewpoints as the guest speaker at NYCC 2023. 

Granted that the 52-year-old actor wasn't at liberty to speak about his acting gigs due to the strikes, he still left behind a few things to ponder for the live audience and beyond.

For the good part of attendance, Ewan McGregor spoke about various vital everyday matters - food, a cup of tea, beard oils, etc. He says that a perfect cup of tea is achieved when water is boiled for a minimum of three minutes because anything under that will only give you the "colour", but not the "taste". McGregor also says in a proper British cup of tea, you first a dash of milk in the cup and then the tea. And no, he doesn't take sugar or honey in his concoction. He also spoke about New York's Bagel, a bit about music and Shakespeare, but very little about the Star Wars fandom or his Obi-Wan Kenobi stint.

What he did do was he spoke at length at the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strikes, reflecting upon the agony of his fellow actors. "This strike is very important. It’s very important that we are taking this action," he said before adding, "There are so many things that have to be addressed that have been left unaddressed for too long. It’s a shame that it’s taking the studios this length of time to come to some sort of resolution with us. But as a result, I’m 100%, behind the strike and involved with my union,” drawing applause and cheer from his audience.

The SAG-AFTRA awards, for the unversed, is one major part of the series of recent and ongoing Hollywood labour disputes. The American actors' labour union began its battle of negotiation with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on July 14, 2023, over residual payments, streaming services and even AI. Aside from actors like Ewan McGregor, big-league Hollywood stars like Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence, Charlize Theron, Joaquin Phoenix, Jamie Lee Curtis, Olivia Wilde and a few others have announced their solidarity with the actors' union.