Apple Inks Deal for 'The Essex Serpent' TV Show Starring Keira Knightley

Apple has issued a series order for an adaptation of the period novel "The Essex Serpent" written by Sarah Perry, reports Deadline. The upcoming TV show is set to star Keira Knightley.

essex serpent
"The Essex Serpent" follows the story of a newly widowed woman named Cora Seaborne (played by Knightley) who escapes from an abusive marriage and relocates from Victorian London to the small village of Aldwinter in Essex. Cora is fascinated with the local superstition that a mythical creature called the Essex Serpent roams in the area. From the novel's description:

While admiring the sites, Cora learns of an intriguing rumor that has arisen further up the estuary, of a fearsome creature said to roam the marshes claiming human lives. After nearly 300 years, the mythical Essex Serpent is said to have returned, taking the life of a young man on New Year's Eve. A keen amateur naturalist with no patience for religion or superstition, Cora is immediately enthralled, and certain that what the local people think is a magical sea beast may be a previously undiscovered species. Eager to investigate, she is introduced to local vicar William Ransome. Will, too, is suspicious of the rumors. But unlike Cora, this man of faith is convinced the rumors are caused by moral panic, a flight from true belief.

These seeming opposites who agree on nothing soon find themselves inexorably drawn together and torn apart--an intense relationship that will change both of their lives in ways entirely unexpected.

In addition to starring in the series, Knightley will also serve as one of the executive producers on the series. Knightley is known for starring in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie series, and she has stared in several other high profile films like "Atonement," "Pride & Prejudice," "Anna Karenina," and "Colette."

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Top Rated Comments

giv-as-a-ciggy-kent Avatar
62 months ago
Chiseled jaw of pure granite ?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
GeoStructural Avatar
62 months ago
The novel is a good read, I recommend it. Keira is an amazing actress, I hope they do a good service to both.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TiggrToo Avatar
62 months ago

Hopefully, it not another WOKE inspired drama! Way to many of theses on everywhere now! It just a turn off for me! You can only take a certain number of these type shows and then you are “out”!
What on earth speaks to you that this is "Woke" from the description?

The female lead, her characters lack of religious belief, or what?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DotCom2 Avatar
62 months ago
APTV + is really starting to rack up some shows. I'm sure the virus has slowed down their progress substantially, but it's getting better all the time. I think I'll stick with them and stay subscribed.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
farkleboy Avatar
62 months ago
newly widowed woman named Cora Seaborne (played by Knightley) who escapes from an abusive marriage

Which is it? did she do both? meaning she escaped by murder? Not sure the term "widowed" is used in a spousal murder plot? Are we looking at the right plot line here?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DeepIn2U Avatar
62 months ago

Chiseled jaw of pure granite ?
lol ... nobody in Hollywood with any success has an average or typical look. Their like supermodels of old and new. And their agents and producers focus on those features heavily to make them stand out ... like a unique scar of sorts. Many male Hollywood stars have noses that are off-centre or their eyes uneven (non-symmetrical) so every shot is of them turning their head (in interviews or press photos) a certain way to 'balance' out our perception of their image.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)