The Essex Serpent | |
---|---|
Genre | Period drama |
Based on | The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry |
Written by | Anna Symon |
Directed by | Clio Barnard |
Starring | |
Country of origin | United Kingdom |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 1 |
No. of episodes | 3 |
Production | |
Executive producers |
|
Producer |
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Running time | 60 minutes[1] |
Production company | See-Saw Films |
Distributor | Apple Inc. |
Release | |
Original network | Apple TV+ |
Original release | May 13, 2022 present | –
The Essex Serpent is a 2022 gothic romance period drama television series based on the novel of the same name by Sarah Perry. The series is written by Anna Symon, and directed by Clio Barnard, and stars Claire Danes and Tom Hiddleston in lead roles. It premiered on Apple TV+ on 13 May 2022.[2]
The Essex Serpent follows London widow Cora Seaborne (Claire Danes) who moves to Essex to investigate reports of a mythical serpent. She forms a surprising bond of science and skepticism with the local pastor (Tom Hiddleston), but when tragedy strikes, locals accuse her of attracting the creature.
No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date |
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1 | "The Blackwater" | Clio Barnard | Anna Symon, Clio Barnard, Juliette Towhidi | May 13, 2022 |
2 | "Matters of the Heart" | Clio Barnard | Anna Symon | May 13, 2022 |
3 | "Falling" | Clio Barnard | Jess Brittain | May 20, 2022 |
4 | "Everything Is Blue" | Clio Barnard | TBA | May 27, 2022 |
5 | TBA | TBA | TBA | June 3, 2022 |
6 | TBA | TBA | TBA | June 10, 2022 |
In August 2020, it was reported that Apple gave a straight-to-series order for The Essex Serpent to See-Saw Films.[3]
When The Essex Serpent was announced in August 2020, Keira Knightley was set to play the leading role of Cora as well as executive produce, however in October 2020, she chose to leave the project due to "family reasons".[3][4] In February 2021, Claire Danes signed on to play Cora to replace Knightley.[5] Tom Hiddleston joined the cast the following month.[6] In April, Frank Dillane, Hayley Squires, Clémence Poésy and Jamael Westman would be added to the main cast.[7]
Filming was previously set to begin in late November 2020 before Knightley exited the series.[8] Filming for The Essex Serpent began in February 2021, in a number of Essex locations,[9] including Alresford,[8][10] Brightlingsea, North Fambridge and Maldon,[11] as well as across London, including Gordon Square in Bloomsbury. Filming for first season concluded on the week of June 27, 2021.[12]
The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 79% approval rating with an average rating of 7.1/10, based on 34 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "Distinguished by biting performances and coiling ambience, The Essex Serpent is a highly accomplished Gothic romance."[13] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, has a score of 69 out of 100 based on 19 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[14]