The Serpent

The Serpent follows the real life pursuit of Charles Sobhraj, a beguiling and dangerous con man who preyed on young travelers along the notorious Hippie Trail through India, Thailand and Nepal in the mid 1970s. The show tracks a globe-trotting investigation as detectives piece together a string of brutal disappearances and murders, uncovering a pattern of deception that stretches across continents. Rather than focusing on gore, it leans into the cat and mouse dynamic between a crafty fugitive and the men and women chasing him, including a Western detective duo who push past bureaucratic red tape. The series examines charm, danger, and the moral ambiguities of justice as it unfolds. The ensemble cast grounds the high stakes with intimate moments that humanize the pursuit.

Created by Richard Warlow and Toby Finlay, The Serpent arrived in 2021 as a tightly paced limited series that draws on real life events surrounding Charles Sobhraj. It presents a globe spanning manhunt with a focus on investigators and survivors. It marks a notable collaboration of writers and cast.

Among viewers it sparked renewed curiosity about the 1970s Hippie Trail era and the international crime stories woven into travel culture. The show's stylish atmosphere and tense storytelling helped bring a notorious case back into conversation, prompting discussions about justice, memory, and media representations.

As a drama it balances character driven tension with procedural breadcrumbs, earning praise for atmosphere and performances, especially in the portrayal of Sobhraj and the investigators. Central themes include manipulation, vulnerability, moral ambiguity, and the costs of pursuit on those who seek to bring a killer to justice.

Awards: The Serpent has drawn attention from critics and awards bodies, with nominations reported in various territories for acting and craft. The series is celebrated for its meticulous production values, faithful period detail, and the chilling charisma of its lead performance.