“I think the novel, and our interpretation of it, is quietly radical”: Tom Hiddleston, Claire Danes, Frank Dillane and Jamael Westman on The Essex Serpent

Last night there was a special screening of a new limited series set to land on Apple TV+ this May. Set in Victorian England and adapted by Anna Symon from Sarah Perry’s bestselling novel of the same name, The Essex Serpent stars Claire Danes (Homeland, Romeo + Juliet) and Tom Hiddleston (Loki, The Night Manager) alongside Frank Dillane, Jamael Westman, Clémence Poésy and Hayley Squires, and is directed by acclaimed British indie director Clio Barnard (Ali & Ava, The Arbor).

Danes plays our heroine, Cora Seaborne, a London widow who moves to Essex to investigate rumours of a mythical serpent being awakened by an earthquake. She develops an unexpected bond with the local pastor (Hiddleston), but when things start to go wrong, she faces accusations of being responsible for the creature’s presence.

The cast hit the red carpet at the Ham Yard Hotel to share their insights on the making of the film. Hiddleston discussed what he loves about playing characters from a novel, the experience of working in Essex and his admiration of Barnard as a director.

Danes spoke about the appeal of her character and the story, how she sees it as quietly radical and that, for her, the serpent represents a metaphor for everyone’s anxieties and fears.

Dillane, who plays Luke Garrett, gave his reflections on shooting the series and what Barnard was like to work with as a director.

Westman, who plays George Spencer, shared how beautiful he thinks the story is and how, for him, it’s about revolutionary love in the face of adversity and friendship.

Catch more action from the red carpet below:

Sarah Bradbury

The Essex Serpent is released on Apple TV+ on 9^th May 2022.

Watch the trailer for The Essex Serpent here: