Frank Dillane starred as Nick Clark on Fear The Walking Dead until his death in season four. Since then, Dillane has kept busy with projects like How to Build a Rich Girl, Viena, and the Fantomes and The Girlfriend Experience. Digital Spy reports that he will star with Tom Hiddleston and Claire Danes in The Essex Serpent series for Apple TV+.
The series follows Cora Seaborne (Danes), a widow who was in an abusive marriage before her husband’s death. She relocates from Victorian London to Aldwinter, a small village in Essex. There is a local story of a mythical creature, the Essex Serpent, who is rumored to have returned to the area, that piques her interest in this location.
She meets Will Ransome (Hiddleston), the village’s local Vicor and trusted leader, who will help her with her investigation into the local legend. Clémence Poésy (Tenet) has been cast as Will’s wife and mother of his children. She also befriends Cora upon her arrival to the village.
New casting for The Essex Serpent
Dillane has been added to the cast and will play Luke Garrett, a pioneering young surgeon. He is headstrong and ambitious. Jamael Westman (Anne Boleyn) will play Luke’s right-hand man, Dr. George Spencer, a fellow surgeon. Hayley Squires (Adult Material) will portray Cora’s servant and closest confidante, Martha.
The story has been adapted from Sarah Perry’s novel of the same name based on true events. The series is written by Anna Symon and directed by Clio Barnard. Filming for the series started in February, meaning a release date of late 2021 or early 2022.
Keira Knightly was originally set to play the part of Cora but, due to “family reasons,” was unable to fulfill this role. Danes, a Golden Globe winner, was then cast in the role.
Congrats to Frank Dillane and all the others for being cast in this series.