Comedy Central Announces Golden Axe Animated Series Starring Matthew Rhys and Danny Pudi

Comedy Central has announced a new animated series based on Sega’s classic beat ’em up video game franchise Golden Axe.

The network has ordered 10 episodes of the show, which will star Liam McIntyre as the protagonist Ax Battler, who is described as “a barbarian warrior with a strict code of honor and sweet golden retriever demeanor.” He will be joined by Matthew Rhys (The Americans) as the “grumpy battle dwarf” Gilius Thunderhead, Danny Pudi (Mythic Quest) as a naive “first time adventurer” named Hampton Squib, and Lisa Gilroy as the “fearsome battle sorceress” Tyris Flare.

“In a hilarious and loving homage to Sega’s 1989 video game series, Golden Axe follows veteran warriors Ax Battler, Tyris Flare, and Gilius Thunderhead as they once again battle to save Yuria from the evil giant Death Adder who just won’t seem to stay dead,” reads the official logline. “Fortunately, this time they have the inexperienced and underprepared Hampton Squib on their side.”

The adaptation comes from Mike McMahan (Star Trek: Lower Decks) and Joe Chandler (American Dad!), who will co-write the first episode and executive produce the series. Chandler will also serve as the showrunner.

The first Golden Axe game was released in 1989 and was followed by four other mainline titles: Golden Axe II, Golden Axe: The Revenge of Death Adder, Golden Axe III, and Golden Axe: Beast Rider.

There’s also a new entry in the video game series on the way. At last year’s Game Awards, Sega announced an untitled Golden Axe game, marking the first new title in the franchise since 2008.