Rise and Fall, Channel 4 and All 4, Sunday, 9pm

How would you rule if power was suddenly bestowed upon you? Would you be a benevolent leader, or command with an iron fist?

These are questions many of us are sure to have pondered amid political leadership elections and even in our own workplaces. A new reality series by Channel 4 will allow members of the public to put their personal theories to the test in a game which is all about how to win power, keep hold of it and use it to influence others.

From the makers of hit series The Traitors, Rise And Fall will see 16 ordinary people of all ages and from all walks of life begin the game as equals but soon find themselves either in a position of control as a “ruler”, or as part of the powerless as a “grafter”.

The game will reflect real-life power dynamics as the grafters must survive in a cramped basement without natural light and with repetitive, bland food while having to complete physically demanding challenges to build a cash prize fund only the rulers can win. Rulers will live it up in a luxurious penthouse as they encourage the grafters to work harder, however, if they push too hard they might find themselves toppled from power. Anyone can rise to a position of power and anyone can fall, which will be decided by the other players.

At the end of the game, only one ruler will have the chance of winning a life-changing cash prize of up to £100,000.

BBC Radio 1’s Greg James will helm the show as the ringleader and will be “rolling in mischievous grenades” among the rulers as they decide what to do with the grafters.

Who will climb the ladder will be decided by the other players as the grafters will vote in a secret ballot and the two with the most backing will be put up for election to the rulers, who will decide to bring one of them up.

The rulers will also have to watch their own backs, as the players will have to conspire against each other when they vote in their own secret ballots to get rid of another ruler. The series is being made by media firm Motion Content Group and production company Studio Lambert, which produced BBC One’s The Traitors, and it hopes to create the same magnetic appeal which captured the nation.

The show will be a microcosm of reallife society with a cast which reflects the diversity of status, background and employment within the country – with the aim that viewers will be able to relate to someone on the show.