Terry Pratchett passed away in 2015. But we know the popular author’s works will continue to endure for a long tine. And not just on the page. Last year Neil Gaimain, who Pratchett co-write Good Omens with, brought their beloved book to life for Amazon. We absolutely loved it. Now another well-known work from the late fantasy writer is set to come to life on screen for the first time. BBC America’s The Watch will bring Pratchett’s “City Watch” tales from his Discworld series to television. And based on the first images, it will be as crazy and wonderful as fans hope.
BBC America
BBC America has released its first batch of character photos from The Watch. These images give you a pretty good idea of the sci-fi fantasy story’s tone and energy. It’s full of magical beings and chaos.
“Set in the fictional city of Ankh-Morpork, where crime has been legalized, The Watch is a uniquely anarchic drama. The series centers on a group of misfit cops as they rise up from decades of helplessness to save their corrupt city from catastrophe.”
Game of Thrones‘ alum Richard Dormer leads the diverse cast. He plays Captain Sam Vimes, Captain of The Watch who’s been “disempowered by a broken society that’s reduced his department’s jurisdiction to almost nothing.” Him and his cigar are walking with Marama Corlett’s “mysterious” Corporal Angua.
Angua’s tasked with training Adam Hugill’s Constable Carrot, an “idealistic new recruit.” Dwarfs raised the human baby after he was abandoned at birth. We think we can guess how Carrot got his name.
BBC America
Jo Eaton-Kent plays Constable Cheery, “the ingenious non-binary forensics expert, ostracized by their kin and finding a new home and identity.” Cheery also is seen with Corlett’s Angua. She’s the only character to appear in multiple photos.
BBC America
These images also include an exciting one of Lara Rossi as Lady Sybil Ramkin. The “formidable” Lady is the “last scion of Ankh-Morpork’s nobility. She’s “trying to fix the city’s wrongs with her chaotic vigilantism.”
Doing that seems to involve wearing an amazing coat and setting some one fire.
BBC America
Finally, Sam Adewunmi stars as Carcer Dun. BBC America didn’t include an official description for his character. If you want to know why you can read more about the character at the Discworld wikia.
(Also, look at the armed men with him. This show clearly seems destined to inspire some amazing cosplay.)
These photos only features some of the cast. BBC America previously announced Anna Chancellor (Pennyworth) is playing Lord Vetinari, The Patrician of Ankh-Morpork. He’s the “architect of the city’s normalized wrongness and ramshackle system of governance.” The character is a man in the books, But along with some other roles it will be gender-swapped on the series. James Fleet (Outlander) will star as The Archchancellor, “a wizard, magical advisor, and the Head of the Unseen University.” Ingrid Oliver (Doctor Who) plays Doctor Cruces, the Head of The Assassins’ Guild. Ruth Madeley (Years and Years) will play the Throat, “the city’s best snitch” who has a gang of freelance henchmen serving her.
Hakeem Kae-Kazim (CW’s Dynasty) will also join them. He plays Captain John Keel, former leader of The Watch and mentor to Sam Vimes. Keel’s determined to save the city from corruption and chaos. And Bianca Simone Mannie (Homeland) stars as the “cunning” Wonse. Others constantly “underestimate” the “wizard hopeful in waiting.”
Brian Kelly (Outlander), Emma Sullivan (Doctor Who), and Craig Viveiros (And Then There Were None) will serve as directors on the eight-part series. Simon Allen (The Musketeers) is the show’s writer.
And they’ll all have Terry Pratchett soul, heart, and sense of humor to guide them. He might be gone, but just like his stories is presence will endure for a long time.
The Watch will premiere later this year in 2020.
Featured Image: BBC America