Sixteen British civilians will enter the competition as equals but will soon be split into Rulers and Grafters. In a caricature of real-world power dynamics, the Grafters will complete a series of arduous activities, creating a prize fund that only the Rulers can win.

Whilst the Grafters inhabit a basement, the Rulers occupy a deluxe penthouse. The Rulers will have to encourage the Grafters to work harder for them, whilst also making choices that affect only the Grafters and not themselves.

However, the Rulers can find themselves toppled from power easily, as the players decide who will rise and who will fall. Every player will be vying for a position as a Ruler, as at the end of the 18-part series only one Ruler can take home the cash prize.

This will all be overseen by BBC Radio One host and writer Greg James. Rise and Fall will mark one of his few Television credits.

Greg James said: “I’ve been waiting a long time for a show like this to come along that I can get stuck into and be the ringleader of. It’s an amazingly mad idea and the contestants are going to make some incredible TV. It’s very exciting to launch something brand new on Channel 4 and I can’t wait to see how it all plays out. Let the power struggle begin…”

Rise and Fall is produced by Studio Lambert in conjunction with Motion Content Group and is coming soon to Channel 4 and All 4.