Benedict Cumberbatch to play Satan in Good Omens

Benedict Cumberbatch will be playing the role of Satan in the upcoming web series Good Omens, based on the novel of the same name by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. This was revealed by the latter, who serves as the showrunner for the series co-produced by Amazon Prime and BBC Two.

The Sherlock actor will appear in episode 6 of the series, which debuts on May 31. The actor's version of Satan will reportedly be a "giant, animated" one, which appears "400 foot high."

It was announced earlier that Frances McDormand will appear on the show as the voice of God. Additional cameos in the series will include Jack Whitehall, Michael McKean, Miranda Richardson, Jon Hamm, and Nick Offerman.

The show is set in 2018 on the brink of an apocalypse as humanity prepares for a final judgment. But Aziraphale (Michael Sheen), an angel, and Crowley (David Tennant), a demon, aren't enthusiastic about the end of the world.

Good Omens was Gaiman's first novel, written in collaboration with Pratchett, who died in 2015.