Loki's Tom Hiddleston Signs On For First Big TV Show Following MCU Series

With Marvel's WandaVision having wrapped up its mind-boggling first season on Disney+, paving the way for The Falcon and the Winter Soldier to come blasting through, MCU fans are waiting somewhat patiently for Tom Hiddleston's highly anticipated return for the time-jaunting Loki series. With Season 1 still filming, the sometimes-villain will be back in the saddle in early June when it debuts. But Hiddleston is already lining up projects to jump into once Loki has wrapped, and his next big TV show will see him joining Homeland vet Claire Danes.

While still in the midst of laying out the trickster god's narrative for the MCU, Tom Hiddleston has agreed to co-star opposite Claire Danes in the Apple TV+ streaming series called The Essex Serpent. (It kind of sounds like a euphemism that Loki would be fond of using, but that's neither here nor there.) The new show will be based on Sarah Perry's bestselling 2016 novel of the same name, which won the British Book Award that same year.

In The Essex Serpent, Claire Danes plays a newly widowed woman named Cora whose recent marriage was an abusive relationship. In the aftermath, she goes to Victorian London to the small Essex community of Aldwinter. Not necessarily for a relaxing vacation or to find a new lover or anything, but rather to look into the local superstition about a mythical creature known as the Essex Serpent, because there are rumors that the creature has returned... [Dun dun dunnnn.]

Tom Hiddleston will be playing the role of Will Ransome, the leader within the small village of Aldwinter. Nothing else is said about his character, but we can be sure he'll get into some kind of relationship with Claire Danes' Cora that gets turned upside-down once some kind of big reveal happens connecting him to all the superstitious factors. Check out the first look at Will Ransome's character below!

tom hiddleston's will raymond outdoors in the essex serpent

(Image credit: apple TV+ press)

That's about what I'd expect Tom Hiddleston to look like as a village head. It's like he's a priest that lives by his own rules – or commandments in this case – and even though the wind seems intent on re-parting his hair, he keeps his hands in his pockets because he's just that cool, man.

This latest high-profile original series from Apple TV+ will be written by Anna Symon (Mrs. Wilson), with Clio Barnard (Dark River) serving as director for the series; both will also serve as executive producers. See-Saw Films will be the production company behind The Essex Serpent.

Now that we've had our first look at Tom Hiddleston in The Essex Serpent, let's relive the very first trailer for Loki while awaiting its debut.

While waiting for The Essex Serpent to spice up Apple TV+'s library of originals, Loki will premiere on Disney+ on Friday, June 11, so be sure to tune in to see just how much the character's actions will change the MCU's course on the small screen.

Nick Venable
Assistant Managing Editor

Nick is a Cajun Country native and an Assistant Managing Editor with a focus on TV and features. His humble origin story with CinemaBlend began all the way back in the pre-streaming era, circa 2009, as a freelancing DVD reviewer and TV recapper.  Nick leapfrogged over to the small screen to cover more and more television news and interviews, eventually taking over the section for the current era and covering topics like Yellowstone, The Walking Dead and horror. Born in Louisiana and currently living in Texas — Who Dat Nation over America’s Team all day, all night — Nick spent several years in the hospitality industry, and also worked as a 911 operator. If you ever happened to hear his music or read his comics/short stories, you have his sympathy.