Claire Danes cuts an elegant figure as she films outdoor scenes for The Essex Serpent

Earlier this year, it was announced that she had joined the cast of The Essex Serpent, months after fellow actress Keira Knightley dropped out of the TV project.

And Claire Danes cut an elegant figure as she donned eye-catching Victorian dress for her role as Cora in the upcoming period drama. 

The actress, 42, was joined by other co-stars and members of the production crew as she filmed scenes for the AppleTV+ series in London on Sunday.

Filming: Claire Danes cut an elegant figure as she donned eye-catching Victorian dress for her role as Cora in the upcoming period drama The Essex Serpent 

Claire donned a black dress with structured shoulders and long sleeves along with a flowing skirt with a pleated detail.

The star also sported a teal scarf and a black hat while she carried a large brown bag while filming an outdoor scene.

Claire was joined by a child actor for one shot while her strawberry blonde hair was styled into an updo. 

The star was also joined by actors Jamael Westman and Frank Dillane and at one point could be seen getting her makeup reapplied ahead of the scene. 

On loacation: The actress, 42, was joined by other co-stars and members of the production crew as she filmed scenes for the AppleTV+ series in London on Sunday

On loacation: The actress, 42, was joined by other co-stars and members of the production crew as she filmed scenes for the AppleTV+ series in London on Sunday

The programme follows Cora, a widow who moves from London to the Essex village of Aldwinter in search of a mythical sea creature. 

Tom Hiddleston plays Will Ransome, the trusted leader of the local community.

Mother-of-two Claire, who is married to British actor Hugh Dancy, replaced Keira Knightley in the role when the actress had to withdraw for ‘family reasons’.

A representative for the star confirmed that she decided to pull out of the project over childcare concerns for two daughters, Edie and Delilah

Outfit: Claire donned a black dress with structured shoulders and long sleeves along with a flowing skirt with a pleated detail

Outfit: Claire donned a black dress with structured shoulders and long sleeves along with a flowing skirt with a pleated detail

The spokesperson told the Daily Mail at the time: ‘There wasn’t a comfortable scenario for Keira that could be put in place for an extended period of childcare required for the four-and-a-half-month production.’

Maldon District Council confirmed that filming would be taking place in the area, telling Essex Live in a statement: ‘We are delighted that the production company has chosen the Maldon District as one of their locations for a new six-part drama.

‘They have a sizeable base on Promenade Park, and they will minimise any disruption during their filming and ensure safety can be maintained at all times.

Production: The star was also joined by actors Jamael Westman and Frank Dillane and at one point could be seen getting her makeup reapplied ahead of the scene

Production: The star was also joined by actors Jamael Westman and Frank Dillane and at one point could be seen getting her makeup reapplied ahead of the scene

‘We would remind everyone that while this is clearly exciting, social distancing must still be maintained at all times.’

Set in the Victorian era of the 1890s, the drama follows Cora Seaborne (Danes), a newly widowed woman relishing her newfound freedom from an abusive husband, who moves from London to a small village in Essex.

Not long after arriving, she becomes intrigued by a local superstition: a mythical sea serpent known as the Essex Serpent that has returned to the area.

Plot: The programme follows Cora, a widow who moves from London to the Essex village of Aldwinter in search of a mythical sea creature

Plot: The programme follows Cora, a widow who moves from London to the Essex village of Aldwinter in search of a mythical sea creature

The See-Saw production is being directed by Clio Barnard, who’s best known for her work on film The Selfish Giant (2013), and produced by Andrea Cornwell.

Anna Symon will serve as the lead writer. Her resume includes penning the British historical drama series, Mrs. Wilson (2018).

Both Barnard and Symon will also play serve as executive producers alongside Jamie Laurenson, Patrick Walters, Hakan Kousetta, Emile Sherman, and Iain Canning, according to Deadline.

Apple gave the green light and ordered The Essex Serpent to series in August 2020.

While it has yet to be announced, the release date for The Essex Serpent is expected to be next year.

Co-star: Actor Frank Dillane, whose character is yet to be revealed, was also spotted filming

Co-star: Actor Frank Dillane, whose character is yet to be revealed, was also spotted filming