Claire Danes continues shooting The Essex Serpent on British shores

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 was spotted shooting scenes for the upcoming AppleTV+ series recently as she braved the chilly weather of Essex’s Mersea Island.

The American screen star, who turns on 42 Monday, looked chic in her Victorian era costume, which she covered with a padded blue coat to stay warm between takes.

Getting into character: Claire Danes was seen shooting scenes for The Essex Serpent recently

The Emmy-winning Homeland star was the picture of elegance in her costume, which consisted of a structured grey striped coat over a matching dress.

With her strawberry blonde locks styled in a curly updo, the New York native was seen making her way across a large open field as cameras captured the action.

She was also seen sporting a pristine white dress, which she teamed with a long dark coat and matching boots – though she covered up in a blanket between takes.   

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

It's a wrap: The screen star, 41, covered up with a blue padded coat and blanket between takes

It’s a wrap: The screen star, 41, covered up with a blue padded coat and blanket between takes

Big production: A large van followed the actress as she made her way into a large open field

Big production: A large van followed the actress as she made her way into a large open field

Casting: Earlier this year, it was announced that she had joined the cast of The Essex Serpent

Casting: Earlier this year, it was announced that she had joined the cast of The Essex Serpent

Replace: She replaced Keira Knightley, who dropped out of the TV project months beforehand

Replace: She replaced Keira Knightley, who dropped out of the TV project months beforehand

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

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.’

Basket: She was seen carrying a basket as she made her way across a field on Mersea Island

Basket: She was seen carrying a basket as she made her way across a field on Mersea Island

Picture of elegance: The Emmy-winning Homeland star was the picture of elegance in her costume, which consisted of a structured grey striped coat over a matching dress

Picture of elegance: The Emmy-winning Homeland star was the picture of elegance in her costume, which consisted of a structured grey striped coat over a matching dress

Close-up: The star was surrounded by the production team as she got ready for her close-up

Close-up: The star was surrounded by the production team as she got ready for her close-up

Hair we go again: The New York native's strawberry blonde locks were styled in a curly updo

Hair we go again: The New York native’s strawberry blonde locks were styled in a curly updo

Covered up: At one point, the actress flipped up the hood of her coat in front of rolling cameras

Covered up: At one point, the actress flipped up the hood of her coat in front of rolling cameras

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.

‘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.

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

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

Elements: Ensuring she was completely protected from the elements, she also sported gloves

Elements: Ensuring she was completely protected from the elements, she also sported gloves

Taking in the action: The screen star was seen standing among the camera crew during filming

Taking in the action: The screen star was seen standing among the camera crew during filming

Freedom: 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

Freedom: 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

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.

It'll be all white on the night: The American star was also seen sporting a pristine white dress

It’ll be all white on the night: The American star was also seen sporting a pristine white dress

Stylish ensemble: She teamed her dress with a long dark coat and matching boots ¿ though she covered up in a blanket between takes

Stylish ensemble: She teamed her dress with a long dark coat and matching boots – though she covered up in a blanket between takes

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

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

At the helm: 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

At the helm: 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

Coming to a screen near you: While it has yet to be announced, the release date for The Essex Serpent is expected to be next year

Coming to a screen near you: While it has yet to be announced, the release date for The Essex Serpent is expected to be next year