Apple TV+ postpones show about online hate groups, star Jessica Chastain 'not aligned on the decision'
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(The Hill) — Jessica Chastain is speaking out against Apple TV+’s decision to postpone her new series “The Savant” in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, saying the show is “unfortunately” more relevant now than ever. 

“I want to say how much I value my partnership with Apple. They’ve been incredible collaborators and I deeply respect their team. That said, I wanted to reach out and let you know that we’re not aligned on the decision to pause the release of ‘The Savant,'” Chastain said in a message posted on social media on Wednesday.

A day earlier, Apple TV+ said in a statement that did not mention Kirk by name that “after careful consideration,” it was pumping the brakes on the release of the series. “We appreciate your understanding and look forward to releasing the series at a future date,” Apple TV+ said in its statement.

Jessica Chastain attends a ceremony honoring her with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Kirk, a conservative activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot earlier this month in Utah. 

According to the streamer’s promotional materials, in the show Chastain plays a “top-secret undercover investigator known as the Savant, who infiltrates online hate groups to take down the most violent extremists in the United States.”

In her post, Chastain noted the “unfortunate amount of violence” that has taken place in the U.S. in the last five years, including the kidnapping attempt on Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D); the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol; multiple assassination attempts against President Trump; the June killings of Minesota state Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman (D) and her husband; the violent assault of Paul Pelosi, husband of former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.); Kirk’s murder; a shooting this month at a local news station in California; and more than “300 school shootings across this country.”

“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,” Chastain, 48, said.

“I’ve never shied away from difficult subjects, and while I wish this show wasn’t so relevant, unfortunately it is,” the “Zero Dark Thirty” star said.

“‘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 Academy Award-winning performer said. “While I respect Apple’s decision to pause the release for now, I remain hopeful the show will reach audiences soon.”

An Apple TV+ representative didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

“Until then, I’m wishing safety and strength for everyone, and I’ll let you know if and when ‘The Savant’ is released,” Chastain said. 

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