A NEW Channel 4 show set to release this autumn will star a beloved Prescot-raised actress.

Sue Johnston OBE is set to star in a new TV show that will premiere later this year.

Generation Z, which has been written and directed by Ben Wheatley, is set in the fictional town of Dambury and follows a group of pensioners through the apocalypse.

The Royale Family and Downton Abbey star leads the cast in her role as Cecily alongside Paul Bentall as they try to escape the seemingly unassuming town after a gas leak.

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The leak, which occurs after an army convey overturns outside a care home, starts to have an adverse effect on the residents, as they try to escape the army and try and contain their new hunger for raw flesh.

On the night of the outbreak, a group of four teenagers are living normal lives but soon find themselves at the centre of the virus.

Eastenders star, Anita Dobson, stars in the series as JanineEastenders star, Anita Dobson, stars in the series as Janine (Image: Alistair Heap/Channel 4)

Exploring intergeneration justice and community breakdown, the series touches on political fault lines and the very real issues facing teenagers today.

Also joining the cast alongside Sue is comedian Johnny Vegas, Chris Reilly and Rebecca Humphries.

“It’s been amazing working on Generation Z with The Forge and Channel 4,” said Ben.

“It’s my first original series and a project very close to my heart. I hope everyone enjoys it as much as we do.”

The series, which filmed in Wales last year, will consist of six 60-minute episodes and was part produced by The Forge.

“We are so excited that Ben Wheatley has chosen C4 as the place to make his first original TV drama,” said Rebecca Holdsworth, commissioning editor at Channel 4.

“Generation Z promises to have all the unique visual flair and mischievous spirit that characterises Ben’s film work; it is in turn wickedly funny, deftly political, and delivers on the kind of eye-popping shocks and thrills that mean this is shaping up to be a zombie drama like no other.”

While an official release date is yet to be confirmed, Generation Z is set to premiere on Channel 4 this autumn.