Tom Hiddleston Joins the Cast of AppleTV+ Drama 'The Essex Serpent'

Tom Hiddleston has been tapped to play the male lead in Apple TV+'s upcoming adaptation of Sarah Perry’s 2016 historical novel The Essex Serpent. And, while impressive, this isn't the only big casting news recently announced about the series: The show has also swapped leading ladies.

Originally announced as starring Kiera Knightley, The Essex Serpent will now serve as the first post-Homeland vehicle for award-winning actress Claire Danes, who will take over the role of Cora. Hiddleston will play Will Ransome, the trusted leader of a small rural community. A first look at Hiddleston in the series can be seen above.

Set in 1893, the story follows the newly widowed Cora, who, having fortuitously escaped an abusive marriage by way of her husband's death, relocates from bustling Victorian London to the village of Aldwinter in Essex. Upon arriving, she learns of an intriguing local legend that claims a fearsome creature known as the Essex Serpent is said to have returned after 300 years and is once again roaming the marshes and killing people. As Cora is something of an amateur naturalist, she's fascinated and convinced that this supposedly magical sea beast is some sort of previously undiscovered species.