In August 2020 Apple reached an agreement to bring the series to its video streaming service The Essex Serpent, a series that would initially be starring Keira Knightley known for Pirates of the Caribbean. And I say initially, because two months later he fell out of the cast, forcing delay production.
Almost 6 months later, we finally know (Variety) the actress who will replace Keira Knightley in the series The Essex Serpent: Claire Danes, actress known for being the protagonist of the series Homeland. Essex Serpent is based on Sarah Perry's period novel of the same name and puts us in the shoes of Cora Seaborna.
Cora Seaborne is a woman who has just been widowed leaving behind a stormy marriage and decides to move to the small town of Aldwinter, in Essex, leaving the city of London behind. Cora is fascinated by local superstition that tells of a mythical creature called the Essex Snake that lives in the area.
In the description of the book, we can read:
While admiring the sights, Cora learns of an intriguing rumor that has risen higher up the estuary, about a fearsome creature said to roam the swamps claiming human lives. After nearly 300 years, the mythical Essex Serpent is said to have returned and claimed the life of a young man on New Years Eve.
Cora, an amateur naturalist with no patience for religion or superstition, is immediately captivated and certain that what the locals believe to be a magical sea beast may be a previously undiscovered species. Eager to investigate, they introduce him to local vicar William Ransome.
In addition to Homeland, Claire Danes is also known for Es mi vida, Temple Grandin, Las horas, and Romero + Juliet. Once the cast of this series has been completed, it is a matter of weeks before I start filming this new series.
