“We’re not aligned on the decision to pause the release of The Savant,” the actor wrote in an Instagram post.
Photo: Apple TV+/Copyrighted

If you pull a new show from its release schedule just days before it was due to come out, one thing is certain: The talent will have thoughts on the matter. Jessica Chastain has responded to Apple TV+’s decision to yank her new series, The Savant, which was originally due to release on Friday, September 26. “We’re not aligned on the decision to pause the release of The Savant,” the actor, who is also a producer on the show, wrote in a statement on Instagram. In The Savant, inspired by a true story as reported by Cosmopolitan, Chastain plays an anti-extremism operative who infiltrates white-supremacist forums online to prevent explosive acts of violence. No future date has been given for the drama’s release.

While advocating for the show’s relevance in the current political climate, Chastain’s statement pointed out the string of high-profile incidents of political violence that have played out in the five years she has spent making the show, including the January 6 attack, attempted assassinations on President Trump, the assassinations of Democratic representatives in Minnesota, and the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

“These incidents, though far from encompassing the full range of violence witnessed in the United States, illustrate a broader mind-set that crosses the political spectrum and must be confronted,” she wrote. “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.”

The Savant’s postponement comes at an especially tense moment for American political speech. In the wake of Kirk’s assassination, media figures like the Washington Post’s Karen Attiah and NBC’s Matthew Dowd found themselves ousted from their news organizations. Over the past week, Jimmy Kimmel Live! was dramatically removed from the air and its host suspended before finally being reinstated last night. And in recent months, entertainment giants like Disney and Paramount have both fought and settled high-profile Trump lawsuits, with payouts north of $15 million. Plus, a judge last week dismissed a $5 billion lawsuit Trump brought against the New York Times. It’s not a huge leap to think Apple TV+, about to release a show that deals with political flash points and fighting white supremacism, might be wary of releasing it, especially if it wants to stay on Trump’s good side whenever the president opens up Truth Social or announces the next tariff. Apple TV+ has not commented on the release of The Savant beyond its confirmation that the show was postponed.

In her statement, Chastain noted her respect for her collaborators at Apple and closed by saying she remains hopeful it can be released soon. The full statement follows:

This story has been updated.

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