'The Essex Serpent' is a new period drama starring Tom Hiddleston and Claire Danes — here's how to watch on Apple TV Plus

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• "The Essex Serpent" premiered May 13 exclusively on Apple TV Plus.
• The six-episode period drama stars Claire Danes and Tom Hiddleston.
• Apple TV Plus costs $5 a month after a seven-day free trial.

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$4.99 from Apple TV+

"The Essex Serpent" is a new Apple TV Plus period drama based on the novel of the same name by author Sarah Perry. The first two episodes premiered May 13, and new episodes will debut every Friday through June 10. 

Set in 1893, the show is about a widow, Cora Seaborn (Claire Danes), who moves from London to rural Essex to investigate a local mythical creature. But tensions rise when she crosses paths with the town's pastor, Reverend William Ransome (Tom Hiddleston), and soon the locals suspect Seaborn could be the real source of their troubles

Check out the trailer for 'The Essex Serpent'

The series also stars Hayley Squires, Frank Dillane, Clémence Poésy, and Michael Jibson. The show is written and created by Anna Symon. 

"The Essex Serpent" is the latest high-profile series developed exclusively for Apple TV Plus, joining other recent originals like "WeCrashed" and "Severance." Early reviews for the series have been positive, and it holds an "88% Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes as of May 13.

How to watch 'The Essex Serpent' 

You can watch "The Essex Serpent" exclusively on Apple TV Plus. The first two episodes premiered on May 13. The following four episodes are scheduled to release every Friday through June 10.

Apple TV Plus costs $5 a month for full access to the service's entire lineup of shows and movies. Apple TV Plus can be streamed on iPhones, tablets, laptops, computers, and a variety of smart TVs and media players. Visit the AppleTV Plus website for a list of all compatible devices. 

Can I watch 'The Essex Serpent' for free?

You can watch "The Essex Serpent" for free if you sign up for a trial to Apple TV Plus. New members can get a seven-day free trial period, and several promotions are also available with extended trials.

When you purchase an eligible Apple tablet, phone, or Apple TV streaming device, you can get three months of Apple TV Plus for free. If you're a T-Mobile user, you may be eligible for a free year of Apple TV Plus. You can see if your plan qualifies on the T-Mobile website.

What other shows and films are on Apple TV Plus? 

Like Netflix , Hulu , and Prime Video, Apple TV Plus offers a variety of exclusive original films and series, with new content arriving every month. 

Popular original films and shows you can stream right now on Apple TV Plus include: 

• "WeCrashed"
• "Severance"
• "Tehran"
• "Ted Lasso"
• "Shining Girls"
• "The Tragedy of Macbeth"
• "Fraggle Rock Back to the Rock"
• "Foundation"
• "The Big Con"
• "For All Mankind"
• "See"
• "The Afterparty"