Spanish broadcaster Antena 3 has bought the rights to remake the hit BBC1 series Life on Mars, moving the action forward five years to 1978 Madrid.

The new version, provisionally entitled Vida en Marte, will be set three years after the death of Spanish dictator Francisco Franco, a time when the Spanish infrastructure was adapting to new democratic ways, with the police force being haltingly brought in line.

The original series, which won an International Emmy in 2006, is currently being broadcast on Antena 3. Vida en Marte will start shooting this year for a primetime airing in 2009.

David E Kelley has produced a pilot for the American version of the show, starring Star Trek’s Colm Meaney as the US version of Gene Hunt in 1972 Los Angeles.