THE ESSEX SERPENT

APPLE TV DRAMA

This stylish adaptation of Sarah Perry’s best-selling novel will only add to the growing feeling that Apple has become the go-to service for top-quality drama. Cora Seaborne (Claire Danes) begins to flourish after the death of her abusive husband. She’s interested in biology, paleontology and science in general and moves from Victorian London to a small Essex village, intrigued by reports of a mysterious creature in the area. She quickly becomes friendly with the local vicar, a married man… Danes replaced Keira Knightley, who was prevented by family commitments from playing Cora. Having seen Danes, it is difficult to imagine anyone else doing it. Tom Hiddleston (right, with Danes) is the Rev William Ransome.

From Friday