M. Night Shyamalan Faces $81 Million Copyright Lawsuit Over Apple TV+ Series 'Servant'

Italian director Francesca Gregorini claims the show copied key elements from her 2013 film 'The Truth About Emanuel', sparking a trial to determine the validity of the allegations.

The lawsuit, originally filed in 2020, was dismissed but later revived by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in 2022, leading to the current trial in California federal court.
Francesca Gregorini alleges that 'Servant' borrows central plot elements from her film, including a delusional mother caring for a lifelike doll and the role of a nanny in maintaining the illusion.
Shyamalan's legal team argues that the claims are baseless, asserting that 'Servant' creator Tony Basgallop developed the concept independently based on his own experiences starting in 2005.
The defense highlights significant differences between the two works, including their distinct genres, and points out that the concept of reborn dolls predates Gregorini's film.
The trial includes screenings of 'The Truth About Emanuel' and episodes of 'Servant' for the jury, with testimonies from Shyamalan and other creators expected in the coming weeks.