M. Night Shyamalan and Apple Win ‘Servant’ Copyright Trial Jury Rules, Escape $81M Claim

by

M. Night Shyamalan directed the Apple TV+ series ‘Servant,’ which spanned four seasons from 2019 to 2023. Developed by Tony Basgallop, this psychological horror production centered around Dorothy and Sean Turner, a pair who employed a nanny named Leanne to look after a doll that Dorothy thought was her deceased son, Jericho.

The show delved into hidden truths concerning the family and Leanne, filled with unexpected turns that left audiences in suspense. Acclaimed for its chilling ambiance and powerful acting, ‘Servant’ proved to be a worthy contribution to M. Night Shyamalan’s collection of works.

In two separate incidents, the television series ‘Servant’ by M. Night Shyamalan was involved in legal disputes. Specifically, in 2020, filmmaker Francesca Gregorini claimed that the show had copied elements from her 2013 movie ‘The Truth About Emanuel.’ Both productions share a common theme: a character who believes a doll is their actual child and subsequently employs a nanny.

Initially, her copyright case was discarded in 2020. However, in 2022, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated the case, resulting in a trial by jury, despite Apple’s attempts to end the lawsuit prematurely.

In a court ruling on Friday, a federal jury decided in favor of director M. Night Shyamalan and Apple, bringing an end to a copyright trial that had lasted for seven days in Riverside, California. The jury’s decision was based on their viewing of ‘The Truth About Emanuel’ and the first three episodes of ‘Servant’.

Gregorini pursued a claim for approximately $81 million in compensation, alleging that Shyamalan and his crew had utilized aspects of her movie without providing proper acknowledgment.

As a devoted cinephile, I found myself in court on Wednesday, where I clarified that neither myself nor the creators of ‘Servant’ had any prior knowledge or exposure to Gregorini’s film before the lawsuit. To put it simply, this whole situation is nothing more than an unfortunate misunderstanding.

He stated, “The allegation contradicts everything I stand for and all my actions. I assure you, I would not have tolerated such behavior. My team members are beyond reproach in this regard.

As a movie critic, I must confess, I was taken aback when I caught a glimpse of the ‘Servant’ trailer – it felt eerily familiar, as if someone had pilfered my own cinematic vision. Upon closer inspection, I noticed several striking similarities between this series and my original work. The portrayal of a nanny treating a doll as if it were real when she’s alone is one such instance that left me questioning the authenticity of ‘Servant’. Another scene, where the nanny collapses, seems to have been lifted straight from my movie script. It’s disheartening to see these elements replicated without due credit or acknowledgement.

Despite being cautioned against legal action and potential professional repercussions, Gregorini stated her intention to challenge such industry theft. “I wanted to make the defendants answer for their actions and contribute in a way that ensures no one else in my field experiences this form of theft in the future.

The decision concludes a five-year long court battle. The initial lawsuit involving Apple, M. Night Shyamalan, and writer Tony Basgallop was initiated in 2020, following the debut of ‘Servant’ on Apple TV+. Since then, the show has completed its entire four-season run.

Read More

2025-01-25 12:43