US hit show set for UK spin-off

A British version of the most successful crime series in America could be hitting screens here soon.

ITV are said to be in talks about producing Law & Order, the longest running prime-time drama currently showing in the States, for a British audience.

The show, made by NBC Universal, follows the personal and professional lives of police officers and prosecutors in New York and has been a huge hit in America since it started in 1990.

ITV are now hoping to commission their own version, likely to be titled Law & Order London, for the UK market, it has been reported.

A spokeswoman for ITV said that at present there was "no commission to announce".

However a source at the TV company said: "We are in advanced talks. There has been no deal done yet but it hopefully will be completed in the next month."

The series would be shown during the prime-time weekday 9pm-10pm slot.

In America, Law & Order has made stars of actors Benjamin Bratt and Fred Thompson, who recently left the show to run for US President.

Episodes are currently shown on Five and other satellite channels and NBC currently has existing local production deals in France and Russia.

The news comes a day after ITV announced its latest programming schedule which includes The Palace, a contemporary drama about a fictional royal family based in Buckingham Palace; sister comedy and soap shows Moving Wallpaper and Echo Beach; and Honest, a new six-part drama starring Amanda Redman.

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