Keira Knightley to Produce and Star in Apple TV+ Adaptation of ‘The Essex Serpent’

British actress Keira Knightley has starred in a number of period dramas over the course of her career, from Pride & Prejudice to The Duchess, and now she’s set to star in the Apple TV+ adaptation of Sarah Perry’s 2016 novel The Essex Serpent. Knightley will also serve as the executive producer, and the production company See-Saw Films, who previously worked on The King’s Speech, will develop the series.

As Deadline reports, the series will be directed by Clio Barnard (Dark River, The Selfish Giant) and is written as a series by Anna Symon, who previously wrote Mrs Wilson. Set in 1893, the novel follows Cora Seaborne, who moves with her young son to Essex following the death of her abusive husband. Upon arriving, she discovers the locals believe a mystical beast known as The Essex Serpent has returned. Cora, along with, William Ransome, the local vicar, Cora sets to discover the truth behind the legend of the serpent, while also forming a strong bond with William.

Perry’s novel was critically acclaimed upon its release and was named Book of the Year by the British Book Awards. It was also Waterstones’ Book of the Year for 2016 and was shortlisted for the Costa Novel Prize. No doubt a lot of readers will be hoping the series lives up to the quality of the books, and no doubt we will hear more about the project in the near future.