According to Rolling Stones, last September, Jessica Chastain’s (The Help, Zero Dark Thirty) limited series The Savant was set to air on Apple TV until three days before the premiere, the streamer postponed the show in the wake of the assassination of Charlie Kirk. “We appreciate your understanding and look forward to releasing the series at a future date,” the streamer said.
As per Rolling Stones, five months after the series was taken off the air, neither the streaming service nor any of the primary players involved in the show have offered any clarity about its fate. Apple held a press event earlier this month in Santa Monica, announcing a slate of new shows, with The Savant missing from the list of shows airing.
According to Rolling Stones, the series is based on a 2019 Cosmopolitan article. The limited series follows an undercover investigator, played by Chastain, who infiltrates domestic extremist groups to thwart catastrophic large-scale attacks. The show is believed to have no connection to conservative podcaster Kirk’s death on Sept. 10; its premise revolves around online extremism, radicalized hate groups, and themes of political violence.
As per Rolling Stone, Chastian has voiced frustration with the decision to delay the series. She wrote on Instagram the day after the postponement that she was “not aligned on the decision to pause the release.” She noted the”unfortunate amount of violence” in the U.S. that appeared to have no effect on whether a show aired
“These incidents, though far from encompassing the full range of violence witnessed in the United States, illustrate a broader mindset that crosses the political spectrum and must be confronted,” she wrote via Rolling Stones. “I’ve never shied away from difficult subjects, and while I wish this show wasn’t so relevant, unfortunately it is.The Savant is about the heroes who work every day to stop violence before it happens, and honoring their courage feels more urgent than ever.”
Chastain ended the lengthy note with a hint of skepticism about whether the series would ever air at all. “I remain hopeful the show will reach audiences soon,” she wrote via Rolling Stones. “Until then, I’m wishing safety and strength for everyone, and I’ll let you know if and when The Savant is released.”