Apple TV+ show 'Servant.' Image source: Apple. Director M. Night Shyamalan and writer/creator Tony Basgallop have defeated a lawsuit alleging that their "Servant" series on Apple TV+ stole ideas from a previous film. The lawsuit was brought by filmmaker Francesca Gregorini in January 2020, although the case was initially dismissed. On appeal, it was allowed to proceed with its accusation that "Servant" stole the plot and aped certain creative choices in the 2013 movie "The Truth About Emanuel.".
Following a seven-day trial by jury, however, The Independent reports that the federal judge overseeing the case has ruled in favor of "Servant." The jury had been shown the film plus the first three episodes of the series at the start of the trial. None of the "Servant" team have yet commented on the ruling, but in court, Shyamalan said the whole thing was "clearly, 100%, a misunderstanding.".
"This accusation is the exact opposite of everything I do and everything I try to represent," Shyamalan is reported to have continued. "I would have never allowed it. None of the people that I work with would ever do anything like that.". When the trial began, Shyamalan's attorney Brittany Amadi told the court that "Ms. Gregorini is seeking a windfall here.".
"She's seeking $81 million for work she didn't do," continued Amadi. "The truth is the creators of 'Servant' do not owe anything to Ms Gregorini.". Amadi also pointed out that "Servant" is a supernatural thriller while "The Truth About Emanuel," is a coming-of-age drama. Gregorini claimed that specific "Servant" scenes of a character treating a doll as a real baby, and then fainting, was lifted from her movie.
