Premiere date and plot for Shyamalan’s Apple TV series Servant unveiled

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

After unleashing a triple-threat on cinephiles thanks to the releases of THE VISIT, SPLIT, and GLASS, filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan is back to doing what he does best, creating twisty narratives that offer audience members a unique peek into the storyteller's clever and imaginative brain meats. On Friday while participating in a Q&A at New York City Comic-Con, the "what a twist" auteur unveiled the details of his upcoming series for Apple TV+. Titled SERVANT, Shyamalan's latest focuses on a Philadelphia couple in mourning. This cryptic “unspeakable tragedy” creates a rift in their marriage, but also welcomes a mysterious force into their home. The mysterious series is set for a Thursday, November 28 premiere, only on Apple TV+.

Leading the SERVANT cast are SIX FEET UNDER alumna Lauren Ambrose, Toby Kebbell (KONG: SKULL ISLAND), Nell Tiger Free (TOO OLD TO DIE YOUNG) and Rupert Grint (SNATCH, MOONWALKERS).

Two teaser trailers for the series written and created by Tony Basgallop (INSIDE MAN) were unveiled at today's special event. You can watch both of them below:

While speaking at today's panel, Shyamalan elaborated on the premise for SERVANT, saying that the film will focus on a unique form of therapy for grieving parents.

"The premise of this piece," Shyamalan explained, "the idea that Tony [Basgallop, writer] came up with, is that a couple loses a child and they wind up doing this fringe therapy with a doll. Which is an actual therapy. But it gets so extreme that the mother decides to hire a nanny to take care of the doll. That premise is so tragic and weird and scary, but it's also oddly and inappropriately funny."

"That's the tone that I've been really interested in with The Visit and with Split," he added. "Where you're scared and laughing at the same time."

Um, yeah. Creepy babies are not my jam. There's something about the vacant look in that child's eyes that chills me to my core, though I suppose that's part of the desired effect, no? I'm definitely a mark for this premise, as just listening to the baby coo and giggle has the hairs on my arm standing at attention. I'm ready, Shyamalan. Put the fear of child rearing into me.

In addition to SERVANT, Shyamalan also has two projects currently in the works at Universal Pictures. The UNBREAKABLE helmer will write and direct both features, which are set for release on February 26, 2021, and February 17, 2023.

Let us know if you're excited for SERVANT, and if you're feeling the Shyamalan Renaissance in the comments section below.