Fans of gripping television are turning to a breathtaking period drama featuring stars from The Night Manager season two, with many viewers watching it on repeat. This beloved series, available on Apple TV+, has captivated audiences with its intricate storytelling and stellar performances.
The Night Manager's Return and Its Stars
The Night Manager has made a highly anticipated return for its second season on BBC One, with Tom Hiddleston reprising his role as Jonathan Pine. The first season, which aired in 2016, followed Jonathan, a former British soldier turned night manager in Cairo, as he was recruited by Angela Burr, played by Olivia Colman, to infiltrate the inner circle of arms dealer Richard Roper, portrayed by Hugh Laurie.
In the current season, a shocking twist reveals that Richard is alive and working with his son Teddy Dos Santos in Colombia. Jonathan reunites with Angela, who discloses that Richard threatened her family to fake his death. This sets off a chain of explosive events, including Jonathan's race to prevent Teddy from harming a young boy, all while Richard becomes aware of Jonathan's reemergence.
Discovering The Essex Serpent
Ahead of the penultimate episode of The Night Manager season two airing, fans might find interest in another drama featuring two of this season's stars. Tom Hiddleston and his co-star Hayley Squires, who plays Jonathan's colleague Sally Price-Jones, both appear in the Gothic romance series The Essex Serpent.
Based on Sarah Perry's novel, this six-part period drama is set in the Victorian era. It follows Cora Seaborne, played by Claire Danes, as she moves from London to Essex after being widowed by her abusive husband, embracing her newfound freedom. Cora becomes fascinated by the myth of the Essex Serpent, leading her to the community's spiritual leader, Will Ransome, portrayed by Tom Hiddleston, as she investigates the creature's origins.
The synopsis notes that when tragedy strikes, locals accuse Cora of attracting the creature, adding layers of mystery and tension. Hayley Squires plays Martha, a highly intelligent servant and Cora's closest confidante, bringing depth to the ensemble cast.
Production and Critical Acclaim
Filming for The Essex Serpent began in February 2021, with locations across Essex, such as Alresford, Brightlingsea, North Fambridge, and Maldon, as well as London spots like Gordon Square in Bloomsbury. The series debuted on Apple TV+ in May 2022, receiving positive reviews from both critics and viewers.
One fan on IMDb praised it as a joy to watch, highlighting its first-class production, breathtaking scenes, and emotional complexity. Another described it as absolutely exquisite, noting the seamless blend of cinematography, music, writing, and acting, with themes like social class disparities, science, and faith woven together powerfully.
A third viewer expressed satisfaction, calling it a beautiful forbidden romance with mystery and belief struggles, while a fourth fan found it mesmerising and thoroughly captivating, with masterful mood capture and music that led them to watch it repeatedly.
Where to Watch
The Essex Serpent is available for streaming on Apple TV+, offering a perfect binge-watch for those enchanted by period dramas. Meanwhile, The Night Manager continues to air every Sunday at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats with its thrilling narrative.
