Apple has decided to delay the release of its upcoming television series, The Savant, just two days before it was set to premiere on the streaming platform. The show features Jessica Chastain in the lead role, portraying a woman who infiltrates online hate groups to prevent domestic terrorism. In an official statement, Apple announced, “After careful consideration, we have made the decision to postpone The Savant. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to releasing the series at a future date.”
While Apple did not elaborate on the reasons for this decision, industry publication Deadline speculated that the postponement relates to the series’ themes of political extremism and violence. The storyline reportedly includes scenes featuring a gunman and a bombing, which may have heightened sensitivities surrounding its release.
The series draws inspiration from a 2019 Cosmopolitan article titled, “Is it possible to stop a mass shooting before it happens?” The article highlighted the efforts of an anonymous investigator known as the Savant, who successfully identified hate groups and individuals on the verge of committing violence. One notable case involved Michael Finton, a would-be mass murderer who had plotted to bomb a federal building.
In the trailer for The Savant, viewers can expect an intense thriller, with Chastain’s character stating, “I’ve been watching them for a year and a half, he’s recruiting for something. I don’t know what it is but it is massive.”
Apple’s decision to pull the series occurs amid heightened political sensitivities in the United States, particularly following the killing of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. This incident has led to significant media backlash, including the dismissal of Matthew Dowd, an analyst for MSNBC, after he made comments suggesting that “hateful thoughts lead to hateful actions.” Additionally, late-night host Jimmy Kimmel faced a week-long suspension after his remarks about the shooting prompted threats from the Federal Communications Commission chair, Brendan Carr, against Disney.
The decision to delay The Savant reflects a cautious approach taken by American companies to avoid potential backlash, particularly from critics such as former President Donald Trump and his supporters. Notably, despite the postponement of The Savant, Apple has confirmed that the Leonardo DiCaprio-starring film One Battle After Another will still be released as scheduled. This film includes scenes of sniper action, bombings, and political violence, demonstrating the complex landscape of content decisions facing media companies today.
In contrast, Apple has opted not to delay the release of Slow Horses season five, which will air its first episode featuring acts of extreme political violence, set in the UK. The ongoing prevalence of mass shootings and attacks in the United States has prompted networks to pull episodes from schedules in the past due to concerns about their timing relative to real-world events.
The trailer for The Savant underscores the frequency of extremist attacks in the U.S., stating, “Between 1994 and 2020, 893 extremist attacks took place in America.” Historical context reveals that several series have been affected by similar sensitivities. Following the Columbine school shooting in 1999, two episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer were delayed due to their violent content, while an episode of Hannibal was never broadcast after the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012.
Other series such as Mr. Robot and Castle have also experienced delays when their storylines mirrored real-life tragedies, including the Boston Marathon bombing. In each case, network executives weighed viewer sensitivities against the original programming intentions, a balancing act that continues to challenge content creators in today’s media landscape.
As the release date for The Savant remains uncertain, the conversation surrounding its themes and the implications of its delay will likely persist, reflecting broader societal issues and the media’s role in addressing them.
