The eight-part series will be available to watch on iPlayer from Thursday 1 July and will be broadcast on BBC Two at a later date.

The Watch follows an unlikely group, The City Watch, who are forced to find the guts to save the world, surprising even themselves in the process. The comedic yet thrilling series pits trolls, werewolves, wizards and other improbable heroes against an evil plot to resurrect a great dragon which would lead to the destruction of life as they know it.

From lead writer and executive producer Simon Allen, the modern and inclusive series is inspired by characters created by Sir Terry Pratchett, including the captain of The City Watch Sam Vimes (Richard Dormer), the last scion of nobility Lady Sybil Ramkin (Lara Rossi), the naïve but heroic Carrot (Adam Hugill), the mysterious Angua (Marama Corlett) and the ingenious forensics expert Cheery (Jo Eaton-Kent) together with The Watch’s own idiosyncratic depiction of Death (voiced by Wendell Pierce).

The stellar cast for the series also includes British Independent Film Award winner, Samuel Adewunmi (The Last Tree) as Carcer Dun, Bianca Simone Mannie (Homeland) as Wonse, Matt Berry (What We Do In The Shadows) as Wayne, a magical speaking sword, Anna Chancellor (Pennyworth) as Lord Vetinari, James Fleet (Outlander) as The Archchancellor, Ingrid Oliver (Doctor Who) as Doctor Cruces, Ruth Madeley (Years And Years) as Throat, Paul Kaye (After Life) as Inigo Skimmer and Hakeem Kae-Kazim (Dynasty) as Captain John Keel.

Sue Deeks, Head of Programme Acquisition, BBC, says: "The Watch may have a dystopian setting but it is a really fun, energetic and enjoyable watch - full of thrills, humour and memorable characters."

Simon Allen, Lead Writer and Executive Producer, says: "We had so much fun making this weird, wild ride of show with such an exceptional cast and dedicated crew. We can’t wait for UK audiences to join our adorable gang on their adventures!"

The Watch is a 8x45’ BBC America original series acquired from BBC Programme Acquisition. It is executive produced by Hilary Salmon (Luther), Ben Donald (The Mallorca Files) and Richard Stokes (Broadchurch) for BBC Studios, Rob Wilkins (Good Omens) for Narrativia, Simon Allen (Das Boot) and Craig Viveiros (The War of the Worlds). Johann Knobel (Shameless) is series producer of The Watch, and Simon Rogers (Doctor Foster) is production designer.

Critical praise for The Watch includes:

LA Times “a colourful, energetic treat”
The Wall Street Journal “Making fantasy fun”
SFX Magazine “A gleeful 21st century remix”
Nerdist “Exciting and Hilarious”
Collider “Game of Thrones meets Guardians of the Galaxy”
Bleeding Cool “Bold, brash and brilliant.”
Matt Rousch, TV Guide “The most crazily enjoyable series since AMC’s Preacher.”