Jessica Chastain ‘not aligned’ with Apple TV+ postponing show after Kirk assassination
Jessica Chastain is speaking out against the decision by Apple TV+ 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 Wednesday on social media.
A day earlier, Apple TV+ said in a statement, without mentioning Kirk by name, that “after careful consideration” it was postponing 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.
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 listed some of 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 Minnesota 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,” Chastain said.
An Apple TV+ representative didn’t immediately respond to ITK’s 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.