The three-part drama series, adapted by Peter Harness (Wallander, Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell) and directed by Craig Viveiros (Rillington Place), will star Poldark’s Eleanor Tomlinson, Rafe Spall (Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom), Robert Carlyle (Trainspotting) and Rupert Graves (Sherlock).

Based on the first alien invasion in literature, the story follows couple George (Spall) and Amy (Tomlinson) as they fight for their lives against the new alien life alongside George’s elder brother Frederick (Graves) and astronomer and scientist Ogilvy (Carlyle).

“I’m delighted to be taking on the Martians with Rafe Spall in Mammoth Screen’s adaptation of The War Of The Worlds,” said Eleanor Tomlinson. “I’ve been a fan of Craig Viveiros’ work for a while, so creating this world with him at the helm is very exciting.”

The War of the Worlds famously created moral panic in America when it was narrated by Orson Welles as part of a radio drama series in 1938, with listeners believing that the events unfolding in the story were real news bulletins.

Since Welles' adaptation, the story has been adapted into several films, radio dramas, comic-book adaptations, television series and a hit musical by Jeff Wayne.

Rafe Spall commented, “I am thrilled to be a part of bringing this much loved story to the small screen. I couldn’t be in better company with Craig Viveiros, Peter Harness, all at Mammoth Screen and of course, the very talented Eleanor Tomlinson.”

Craig Viveiros, Director, added, “H.G. Wells' seminal novel has been adapted for the screen many times but it's always had a contemporary (and American) setting, this is the first version to be set in London and the Home Counties during the Edwardian period.

"Peter's scripts manage to honour the source material with great skill, but we aim to provide a thoroughly modern thrill ride for the audience, delivering an alien invasion story that will shock and awe audiences across the globe.”