Academy Award-winning actress Jessica Chastain has publicly voiced her concerns regarding Apple TV+ and the streaming platform's recent decision to delay the release of her upcoming series, "The Savant." The show, which delves into the sensitive subject of domestic terrorism and follows an investigator infiltrating online hate groups, was initially set to premiere its first two episodes on September 26. The subsequent episodes were scheduled to be released weekly until November 7.
On Tuesday, Apple TV+ announced the postponement of "The Savant", but did not provide specific reasons for this delay. This announcement comes in the wake of tragic events, including the recent shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at a speaking engagement in Utah Valley University. As of now, representatives from Apple TV+ have not responded to requests for comments from media outlets such as The Times.
In a heartfelt post on Instagram, Jessica Chastain expressed her disagreement with Apple’s decision, stating that she and the streaming service were “not aligned.” She highlighted the alarming increase in violence in the United States over the past five years, referencing significant events such as the January 6 insurrection and the recent death of Kirk.
Chastain remarked, “I’ve never shied away from difficult subjects, and while I wish this show wasn’t so relevant, unfortunately it is.” She emphasized that "The Savant" focuses on the heroes working tirelessly to prevent violence, making its message even more urgent in today’s context. Chastain wrapped up her post by expressing her hope that the series will reach audiences soon.
The delay of "The Savant" adds to a growing list of titles that have faced postponements due to the heightened sensitivity of their themes in light of current events. For instance, in 2016, the USA Network postponed the premiere of its drama series "Shooter" following mass shootings in Dallas and Baton Rouge. Similarly, an episode of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" that involved a school shooting plotline was delayed after the tragic Columbine High School massacre in 1999.
More recently, the aftermath of Kirk's death has led to the suspension of several programs. The day after Kirk's shooting, Comedy Central decided to remove reruns of an episode of "South Park" that parodied him and his organization, Turning Point USA. Furthermore, ABC indefinitely suspended "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" after the host made comments about the shooter that the network found ill-timed and insensitive.
Upon his return to the late-night show, Kimmel expressed regret while fighting back tears, stating, “It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man. I don’t think there’s anything funny about it.” He also acknowledged the support from individuals across the political spectrum who condemned his suspension, emphasizing the importance of freedom of speech in media. Kimmel criticized ongoing efforts by political and regulatory entities to control television content, calling such actions “un-American” and “not legal.”
As the situation develops, the future of "The Savant" remains unclear, with Apple TV+ yet to announce a new release date for the series, which is based on Andrea Stanley’s 2019 Cosmopolitan article titled “Is It Possible to Stop a Mass Shooting Before It Happens?”
