Apple TV+ has decided to delay the release of The Savant, a series led by Jessica Chastain that explores domestic extremism. The show, originally slated for a Friday debut, now sits without a release date. An Apple spokesperson said the decision followed "careful consideration," but didn't offer further explanation, only expressing hope to eventually bring the series to viewers, per the Guardian.
The Savant centers on Chastain's character, an investigator who infiltrates online hate groups to disrupt potential acts of violence in the US. The series draws inspiration from a 2019 Cosmopolitan article, headlined "Is It Possible to Stop a Mass Shooting Before It Happens?," about an anonymous investigator who tracks dangerous online communities, per Variety. Promotional material highlights themes of mass violence, with Chastain's character warning about looming threats and coordinated attacks.
The delay comes shortly after the killing of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. Prosecutors allege the suspect in that case, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, acted in response to Kirk's rhetoric, as indicated by text messages referencing a desire to stop "hatred." Although Apple hasn't directly tied the postponement to current events, the timing has raised questions.
story continues below
Chastain has publicly acknowledged the relevance of the show's subject matter, saying, "I hate that this show is relevant. I hate it. I hate that there are mass acts of violence. But maybe through this conversation and through unearthing this darkness in society, then we're gonna work together to fix it." Although official reviews remain under embargo, early commentary describes the series as an unflinching look at white supremacist extremism and the frequency of extremist attacks in the US between 1994 and 2020. Chastain has yet to comment on the postponement, per People.
,
uBlock 
,
and
Ghostery 
)
