The Essex Serpent Review: The New Gothic Romance From Apple TV Is Fascinating

The Essex Serpent on Apple TV Plus is a mesmerizing, strange, and beautiful adaptation of Sarah Perry’s bestselling historical fiction novel.

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It’s a part gothic romance, part drama, and part mystery, but altogether a gorgeously shot, melancholy period piece full of Romanticism and strong performances.

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If you’ve yet to see the new six-episode series on Apple TV+, here is everything you need to know about it – including my review of The Essex Serpent.

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THE ESSEX SERPENT TRAILER

The haunting trailer gives a good idea of what the series is like – it’s true to the feel. Credit: Apple TV+ Learn more

Credit: Apple TV+ Credit: Apple TV+ The Essex Serpent is a thinking period drama without much violence, cursing, or action. Each episode builds to the show’s climax and cannot be watched as a standalone. Learn more

THE LOVE STORY BETWEEN WILL AND CORA

One of the core aspects of the series was the unique love triangle between Cora, Will, and Stella. Love affairs typically don’t appeal to me, but this is not your average love affair story. Credit: Apple TV+ Learn more

THE PRODUCTION

The production quality of the period drama is also first-rate. From the intended uses of color to the cinematography by David Raedeker, top-notch script, gothic visual atmosphere, excellent directing, and so much more. Credit: Apple TV+ Learn more

OVERALL THOUGHTS

Overall, if you enjoy British period dramas like Jane Eyre and other Victorian-era period pieces with a Romanticism influence and don’t mind a slower philosophical feel, The Essex Serpent might be for you. Credit: Apple TV+ Learn more