Appeals Court Upholds Verdict for Apple, Shyamalan in Servant Suit
A federal appeals court affirmed a jury's finding that the makers of Servant did not have access to Francesca Gregorini's film.
A U.S. appeals court on Thursday, October 22 upheld the jury's verdict that the makers of Servant did not have access to Francesca Gregorini's film before making the show, according to Collider.
The decision closes a six-year legal battle over Servant involving Apple, creator M. Night Shyamalan and Gregorini.
Gregorini first filed suit in 2020, a year after the Apple TV series premiered, alleging that Servant copied the plot, tone, characters and visual styling of her 2013 film The Truth About Emanuel. The show stars Lauren Ambrose, Toby Kebbell, Rupert Grint and Nell Tiger Free.
A judge dismissed the case in 2020, finding the works bore little resemblance, and fined Gregorini $160,000 in legal fees. The case was revived in 2022 after it was determined the judge had thrown it out too quickly, and the fee was struck down.
In 2025, Apple and Shyamalan convinced a jury that the makers of Servant did not have access to Gregorini's film. Gregorini appealed that verdict, and the appeals court's ruling on Thursday, October 22 ends the dispute.
Quick answers
What did the appeals court rule in the Servant lawsuit?
The court upheld the jury's verdict that the makers of Servant did not have access to Francesca Gregorini's film before making the show.
Who was involved in the Servant legal battle?
Apple, Servant creator M. Night Shyamalan and filmmaker Francesca Gregorini, who sued over the show.
How long did the Servant lawsuit last?
The ruling ends a six-year legal battle, with Gregorini filing her suit in 2020 and the appeals court issuing its decision on Thursday, October 22.