What lies BENEATH

TOM HIDDLESTON and CLAIRE DANES on searching for a monstrous creature in Victorian England

-  CAREN CLARK

THE ESSEX SERPENT

NEW FROM FRI 13 MAY, APPLE TV+ DRAMA

Apparent sightings of a bizarre sea monster said to roam marshland bring horror and tragedy in new period drama The Essex Serpent, launching on Apple TV+ this week with a double bill, followed by new episodes weekly.

Based on Sarah Perry's award-winning 2016 novel of the same name, the six-parter is set in the 1890s and follows recently widowed Londoner Cora Seaborne (Homeland star Claire Danes), who is fascinated by natural history.

After hearing rumours about a strange, snake-like creature spotted near the (fictional) village of Aldwinter, Cora heads to Essex to investigate, and soon befriends the family of caring but troubled vicar Will Ransome (Loki's Tom Hiddleston), who's trying to allay the growing fears of his congregation.

But when a death occurs on the marshes and the local children exhibit disconcerting behaviour, Cora and will start to become dangerously close as they debate whether the serpent is real or just a superstition.

TV Times caught up with Claire, 43, and Tom, 41, to find out more...

What impact does the serpent have on Aldwinter?

TOM Will sees the serpent as a childish imagining, almost like monsters under the bed. But he is concerned that the rumours will affect the mental well-being of the village. Superstition could distort reality and distress people's minds.

Claire, Cora has just been widowed after a difficult marriage. Do you think she sees Aldwinter as a new start?

CLAIRE Yes - Cora was a stranger to herself, she hadn't had an opportunity to realise who she was while being held captive by this abusive relationship, but now she's able to learn that.

How do you see the relationship that develops between Cora and Will?