The Essex Serpent: 10 Movies & TV Shows Where You've Seen The Cast
AppleTV+ is bringing viewers some exciting releases in May, and The Essex Serpent, coming to the small screen on May 13th, is the next hot ticket. Based on a novel by Sarah Perry, the story tackles modern-relatable issues such as domestic abuse and contains fantasy elements. In the Victorian era, the newly-widowed Cora Seaborne (Claire Danes) moves to Essex, inspired by her interest in the legend of a mythical creature.
The wildly anticipated series presents two well-known actors and includes faces that viewers will likely be familiar with from other period dramas and popular movies.
Viewers might not know Frank Dillane by name, but they'll likely remember him from the famous Harry Potter franchise. In the magical world of Hogwarts, Dillane played young Tom Riddle in flashbacks to explain Voldemort's origins.
While his role in the saga remains the most popular project of his career, the actor also featured in Fear The Walking Dead. Now in The Essex Serpent, Dillane will play Luke Garrett, a surgeon in the town. This show will be an exciting opportunity for Dillane and one of the most relevant roles in his filmography so far.
Curiously, Dillane isn't the only cast member that has been part of the Harry Potter franchise. French actor Clémence Poésy played Fleur Delacour in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. But viewers might also recognize her from a more recent film, Christopher Nolan's latest and complex movie, Tenet.
Moving from sci-fi to the AppleTV+ period drama, Poésy will play another supportive role as Stella Ransome, a local who becomes friends with Cora as she settles in Essex. Stella is married to Will (Tom Hiddleston), a relationship that will probably be affected by Cora's arrival.
Claire Danes is no stranger to television. For nearly a decade, she played the protagonist of the political thriller, Homeland, CIA agent Carrie Mathison. The series followed Mathison as she dealt with complex secret missions and a doomed romance with Nicholas Brody (Damian Lewis).
Now Danes moves on to a completely different role in the new AppleTV+ series, which promises to be a compelling addition to the actor's filmography. As Cora Seaborne, Danes is in the spotlight since the character's desire to explore the mythical legends of Essex comprises the main plot.
Hayley Squires is familiar with period dramas since she has been in the popular British show, Call The Midwife. After that, the actor has featured in projects of different genres. Viewers might also recognize Squires from the recent film The Electrical Life of Louis Wain. In the movie, also starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Claire Foy, the actor played Marie Wain.
Given the setting of her latest project, the actor will likely have an easy transition to the AppleTV+ period drama, where she plays the intelligent servant and socialist, Martha.
Although she's a young actor, Dixie Egerickx already has had roles in the BBC miniseries Patrick Melrose, and more recently, playing Mary in the fantasy film The Secret Garden. In The Essex Serpent, Egerickx will play Jo Ransome, one of the children of Stella and Will Ransome.
This title is an exciting addition to the actor's filmography, and even though she'll only have a minor role in the series, it's clear that Egerickx has a promising career.
Actor, writer, and producer Michael Jibson will play Matthew Evansford in the AppleTV+ show, a side character who also lives in Essex. The actor's filmography includes several minor roles. He has played Kylo Ren's shuttle pilot in Star Wars: The Last Jedi and more recently, Lieutenant Hutton in the delicate war drama, 1917.
While the role in the series will also be minor and no images seem to be released of the actor in his new role just yet, Jibson will feature in all six episodes of the show, making this an exciting opportunity.
Although Tom Hiddleston has a vast filmography, he's generally known for his performance of Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With the release of Loki, Disney+'s TV series, the character only became more popular.
Before returning to the beloved Marvel role in season 2 of Loki, Hiddleston will play Will Ransome in the AppleTV+ series. Married to Stella, Will seems to develop a connection with the newcomer Cora, a dramatic situation that will likely be entertaining.
Like Dixie Egerickx, Lily-Rose Aslandogdu is a child actor who has had some relevant titles in her filmography. She has starred alongside Liam Neeson in the movie A Monster Calls and played Alice Roosevelt in the crime drama The Alienist, set in the 19th century.
In The Essex Serpent, the actor will play Naomi Banks, a side character who features in six episodes. Her previous role shows that although young, the actor is comfortable in settings away from smartphones and tablets, and ready to fit in the Victorian-era environment of the show.
Before the AppleTV+ series, Claire Danes was already familiar with period dramas. Besides Homeland, viewers might recognize the actor primarily for her role of Juliet in the film Shakespeare In Love, in which she starred alongside Joseph Fiennes.
Similar to The Essex Serpent, Danes was the protagonist in the romantic movie, and romance will likely be at the center of the new series, with Cora and Will.
Viewers who aren't familiar with the Marvel Cinematic Universe will recognize Tom Hiddleston for several other roles in British projects. Apart from having a relevant role in The Hollow Crown, the actor was in The Night Manager, an adaptation of John Le Carré's novel.
Now in the role of Will Ransome, Hiddleston will have the opportunity to display his talent in a location that likely fits the British actor quite well.