Tom Hiddleston and Claire Danes Probe a Mythical Mystery in the Trailer for ‘The Essex Serpent’

Following his time spent poking around the multiverse as the titular troublemaker in Apple TV+’s new period mystery drama ‘The Essex Serpent’.

Adapted from Hayley Squires) journey to the fictional village of Aldwinter in pursuit of Cora’s dream to become a paleontologist following the sudden death of her abusive husband.

While local tales of a massive primordial serpent capable of causing earthquakes are cause for alarm for most in the village and have led to a kind of collective paranoia, they’re precisely what draw Cora deeper into the fabric of Aldwinter’s community.

Cora’s ion and curiosity about the so-called “blackwater beast” is part of what makes her so fascinating to figures like Reverend Will Ransome (Hiddleston) and Dr. Luke Garrett (Frank Dillane). But the longer Cora spends in Aldwinter, the more it seems like her presence — along with the rumored beast’s — is having some sort of impact on the village that certainly seems otherworldly…

The clash between faith and science, and the simmering ions that underpin it all, certainly promises compelling TV, and the presence of Hiddleston and Danes leading a great cast (which also includes Squires, Clémence Poésy, Dixie Egerickx) gives us hope, too.

Anna Symon, who previously worked on series such as ‘The Selfish Giant’, provides the stirring visuals of windswept English coastal towns.

Apple TV+ has been putting out some solid programming in the last couple of years, rising to rival the likes of CODA’.

And while Hiddleston has been on the small screen recently as Loki, it’s refreshing to see him back in period drama territory with the sort of material where he got his start performing. Danes, meanwhile, has more been known for the likes of ‘Homeland’ of late, so her role of Cora is an interesting one. Trivia fans should note that Danes replaced Keira Knightley, who was originally cast in the role, but dropped out over concerns about finding childcare while shooting during Covid.

‘The Essex Serpent’ is due to kick off on Apple TV+ on Friday, May 13 with two episodes, followed by one episode a week on until the finale on June 10th.