The Serpent (TV series)

The Serpent is a British crime drama television series developed by Mammoth Screen and Netflix. It is based on the crimes of serial killer Charles Sobhraj, who murdered young tourists traveling the "Hippie Trail" in Southeast Asia during the 1970s.

The series stars Tahar Rahim as Sobhraj and Jenna Coleman as his accomplice, Marie-Andrée Leclerc. It follows the efforts of Dutch diplomat Herman Knippenberg (played by Billy Howle) and his wife Angela (Ellie Bamber) as they investigate the disappearances of a young Dutch couple in Thailand, eventually uncovering a pattern of murders linked to Sobhraj.

The Serpent spans multiple countries, including Thailand, Nepal, and India, and portrays the opulent yet dangerous lifestyle of Sobhraj and his accomplices as they preyed on vulnerable travelers. The series explores themes of manipulation, identity, and the devastating impact of Sobhraj's crimes on his victims and their families. It is noted for its visual style, its complex narrative structure, and its performances, particularly Rahim's portrayal of the charismatic and manipulative Sobhraj. The series premiered on BBC One in the United Kingdom in January 2021 and was subsequently released on Netflix internationally.