A new version of Scandinavian crime drama the Bridge is to transplant the action to the border between Russia and Estonia.

It will star Russian actor Mikhail Porechenkov as an investigator from the eastern side of the border and Lithuania’s Ingeborga Dapkūnaitė as his Estonian counterpart, playing the role made famous by Sofia Helin as Saga Norén.

Russian broadcaster NTV has commissioned the show, due to air in 2017, from Weit Media, part of MasterChef maker Endemol Shine. The original Bridge was made by sweden-based Filmlance International, which is owned by Endemol, working with Danish counterpart Nimbus Film. The producers behind the Bridge prefer working with partners on both sides of the border, and discussions are ongoing for a broadcaster on the Estonian side to air the new show show.

It is the third time the format has been transplanted following a US version and the Anglo-French production The Tunnel, which returns to UK screens this month on Sky.

The original The Bridge, set on the border between Sweden and Denmark, is set to return for a fourth series. The show has proved popular internationally, attracting an average of 1.5 million viewers on BBC4 in the UK – high for a foreign-language production and the channel’s top-rated show in 2014.

A US version focused on the Mexican border has also aired for two seasons on US cable channel FX, attracting about 5 million viewers, and Filmlance is understood to be exploring a Hispanic version set on the same frontier.

The new version set between Russia and Estonia will even more closely resemble the original series, as it will open with a body found on the Narva Friendship Bridge connecting the two countries.

Filmlance managing director Lars Brlomgren said: “The Bridge is a truly global format, marrying provocative themes with grounded storytelling and characters. By setting the central concept against the unique cultural and socio-political backdrop of the Russian- Estonian border, it allows for a new and extraordinary story to unfold. I’m extremely excited at the prospect of working with our colleagues at Weit Media and can’t wait to get started.”

Weit Media chief executive Yulia Sumacheva said: “The Bridge is an outstanding drama series and we thrilled at this opportunity to produce the Russian-Estonian adaptation with it’s extraordinary cast and are looking forward to working closely with Lars Blomgren.”