Apple TV+ signs Tom Hiddleston for 'The Essex Serpent' drama

Tom Hiddleston in "The Essex Serpent" for Apple TV+ (Source: See-Saw Films)

Marvel star Tom Hiddleston is to join the cast of "The Essex Serpent," a period drama series for Apple TV+, starring Claire Danes.

Following his previous work narrating Earth At Night in Color, Tom Hiddleston is returning to Apple TV+ as co-star of the forthcoming drama series "The Essex Serpent." Based on Sarah Perry's novel, the series is follows newly-widowed Cora (Claire Danes) moving to an Essex village, where Hiddleston plays a trusted community leader.

According to Variety, Hiddleston is already filming on the series, which is being made for Apple TV+ by See-Saw Films. The production company is also producing spy drama Slow Horses for Apple. See-Saw Films previously produced "The King's Speech" film, and TV series including Jane Campion's "Top of the Lake."

"The Essex Serpent" was originally to star Keira Knightly, who had also been linked to the project as an executive producer. Knightly left the series six weeks before its original filming start date, citing "family reasons" regarding the difficulties of production schedules during the coronavirus pandemic.

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