PICK OF DIGITAL & ON DEMAND TV

THE ESSEX SERPENT, APPLE TV+

NO EXPENSE has been spared in this six-part adaptation of Sarah Perry’s 2016 novel, not least in the cast. The Night Manager’s Tom Hiddleston and Homeland’s Claire Danes (pictured) are the charismatic leads in an atmospheric tale set in the Essex marshes at the end of the 19th century. Rumours of a giant serpent have spooked the townsfolk, but as married vicar William Ransome (Hiddleston) tries to calm his parishioners’ nerves, he finds his own passions ignited by the arrival of amateur naturalist Cora Seaborne (Danes).

But Cora isn’t welcomed by the locals, whose belief in ancient myths and superstitions far outweighs their understanding of logic and science, particularly after a girl is found dead. Danes is marvellous as our tormented, emotionally fragile heroine, while Clemence Poesy plays William’s wife, Stella, and Harry Potter’s Frank Dillane is the pioneering Dr Garrett. But the real stars of this slowburning production are the Essex marshes, their bleakness adding to the ominous air. The hour-long episodes will be released weekly.