The series is reportedly inspired by a true-life story entitled "Is It Possible to Stop a Mass Shooting Before It Happens?" which featured in Cosmopolitan in August 2019 of a woman who has come to be known as "the Savant" who infiltrates online hate-groups in order to prevent large-scale public attacks.[2]
It was reported in Variety in March 2023, that Jessica Chastain had been cast in an eight-part series called The Savant for Apple TV.[4] 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."[5] In February 2024, Nnamdi Asomugha joined the cast in a main role,[6] while James Badge Dale was added in a recurring capacity.[7] Additional casting was announced in March.[8]
Filming
Filming was scheduled for September 2023 in New York.[9] It would instead begin in April 2024.[10]
Broadcast
The series is expected to be broadcast in the UK on Apple TV in 2024.[11]