There's nothing like tragedy that brings people together...or divides them.
On Tuesday, Apple TV+ unveiled the trailer for "The Essex Serpent," a limited series set to premiere in mid-May. Mixing drama and horror elements, the show stars Claire Danes and Tom Hiddleston, and will tackle the thin line between faith and obsession.
Based on the 2016 book of the same name by Sarah Perry, "The Essex Serpent" follows the story of Cora Seaborne (Danes), a widow from London who moves to Essex to "investigate reports of a mythical serpent."
According to the network, Seaborne will form "a surprising bond of science and skepticism" with the local pastor, Will Ransome (Hiddleston), until tragedy unfolds. Locals begin waking up with random bruises and must take shelter in their homes, with no answer to who the snake is targeting. It could be after sinners, or worse, it could be following Cora's orders.
The conflict heightens when Cora attempts to convince Will of the serpent's existence, but he refuses to believe it, telling her instead that the creature is an invented "symptom of the times we live in." Cora responds,
"I'd rather believe in a creature people have actually seen than an invisible God. Is that blasphemy?"
Despite William's family and wife, he admits to loving Cora. "The Essex Serpent" teases love and sin, though even Williams himself cannot tell whether his feelings are a product of the snake's infestation in his own heart.
The series also stars Frank Dillane, Clémence Poésy and Hayley Squires. It marks Danes' first starring television role since "Homeland," which she won two Emmys for during its decade-long run. Hiddleston is coming off of Marvel's "Loki," the smash hit which has recently been renewed for a second season.
"The Essex Serpent" premieres its first two episodes May 13 on Apple TV+, with future episodes airing weekly through June 10.
