The Essex Serpent | Apple TV+

The Essex Serpent is set in 1893, and the six-parter follows newly-widowed Cora Seaborne (Claire Danes, see our main picture), who is finally freed from an abusive marriage when her husband dies. Keen to start afresh, Cora moves from London to the small Essex village of Aldwinter and becomes intrigued by a local superstition that a mythical creature known as the 'Essex Serpent' has returned to the area.  Cora explores the rumours of this mythical sea dragon — a kind of dinosaur that survived extinction. But she soon clashes with the local vicar, Will Ransome (Tom Hiddleston), who’s determined to lay superstition to rest in his rural parish, dealing with the frightening rumours as they begin to spread throughout the community...

Cora Seaborne is played by Hollywood actor Claire Danes after she took over from Keira Knightly, who had to drop out due to issues securing childcare during the pandemic.

Claire Danes told us: "Cora is a stranger to herself, she hasn't had an opportunity to realise who she is while being held captive by her abusive marriage. Now, she shoots to the surface."

Release date

May 13, 2022

Studio

See-Saw Films

Cast

Claire Danes, Tom Hiddleston, Frank Dillane, Clémence Poésy, Hayley Squires

Writer

Anna Symon

Director

Clio Barnard

Executive Producers

Clio Barnard, Anna Symon, Jamie Laurenson, Hakan Kousetta, Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, Patrick Walters

Official Trailer

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EPISODE 6

Surfacing

Luke processes the incident. Cora has a realization. Will struggles with Stella's illness.

Premiere Date: June 10, 2022

EPISODE 5

I Break Things

Cora tries to put things behind her, but a chance encounter makes that complicated. Stella gets some bad news.

Premiere Date: June 3, 2022

EPISODE 4

Everything Is Blue

Luke throws a birthday party for Cora. During an eventful night, Cora and Will get closer—and Luke notices Stella is hiding something.

Premiere Date: May 27, 2022

EPISODE 3

Falling

After fishermen claim they were attacked by the serpent, Cora becomes more determined to understand what’s in the water.

Premiere Date: May 20, 2022

EPISODE 2

Matters of the Heart

Cora moves to Aldwinter, but the grieving villagers don’t welcome her. Naomi struggles with her guilt about what happened to Gracie.

Premiere Date: May 13, 2022

EPISODE 1

The Blackwater

London widow Cora Seaborne relocates to Essex to learn the truth about a rumored “sea dragon.” When a local girl goes missing, fears escalate.

Premiere Date: May 13, 2022