Tom Hiddleston's new role as a hot vicar in The Essex Serpent

He set pulses racing with his bottom-baring romp in The Night Manager. Now, Tom Hiddleston is back to answer women’s prayers as a hot Victorian vicar.

As our exclusive picture shows, the 40-year-old appears to have taken inspiration from Aidan Turner’s Poldark when it comes to the look of his new character, community leader Will Ransome, in the TV adaptation of Sarah Perry’s novel The Essex Serpent.

The Avengers star is appearing alongside Hollywood actress Claire Danes, who plays Cora Seaborne, a widow who moves to the Essex village of Aldwinter in search of a mythical sea creature.

He set pulses racing with his bottom-baring romp in The Night Manager. Now, Tom Hiddleston is back to answer women’s prayers as a hot Victorian vicar

Homeland star Claire Danes, 41, who replaced Keira Knightley in the role when the British actress had to withdraw for ‘family reasons’, was also dressed in Victorian-era costume as she watched her dashing co-star in action on the Essex salt marshes

In the six-part series being filmed for Apple TV+, Cora – released from an abusive marriage – develops an intense relationship with Ransome.

Homeland star Danes, 41, who replaced Keira Knightley in the role when the British actress had to withdraw for ‘family reasons’, was also dressed in Victorian-era costume as she watched her dashing co-star in action on the Essex salt marshes.

The Old Etonian won rave reviews for his performance as a hotel worker recruited to spy on a ruthless arms dealer in the BBC’s Night Manager in 2016, not least for his steamy sex session with Elizabeth Debicki.

The release date for The Essex Serpent, directed by Clio Barnard, is likely to be next year.