The series is inspired by a true-life story titled "Is It Possible to Stop a Mass Shooting Before It Happens?" which featured inCosmopolitan in August 2019 of a woman who has come to be known as "the Savant" who infiltrates onlinehate groups in order to prevent large-scale public attacks.[2][3] It covers the division of theAnti-Defamation League that infiltrates online hate groups.[4]
It was reported inVariety in March 2023, that Jessica Chastain had been cast in an eight-part series calledThe Savant for Apple TV.[6] Chastain said that her performance in the role was designed to protect the anonymity of the real-life character because "I wouldn't want to look and behave exactly like her, because I want to keep her hidden."[7] In February 2024,Nnamdi Asomugha joined the cast in a main role,[8] whileJames Badge Dale was added in a recurring capacity.[9] Additional casting was announced in March.[10]
Apple TV+ was originally scheduled to premiere the first two episodes on September 26, 2025, with the rest releasing on a weekly basis through November 7, 2025.[13] Three days before the original premiere date, the release date was postponed without a new date or an explanation. Though an explanation was not given, it was believed to be linked to the wake of theassassination of Charlie Kirk, which occurred two weeks earlier.[14][15][16][17] The delay was criticized byVariety, which called it a "huge mistake" and stated it was "precisely the type of show America needs right now."[17] Chastain distanced herself from the decision, saying she was "not aligned on the decision to pause the release."[16][18]
