The BBC is set to make dramas for China for the first time as it recreates Life on Mars for a Chinese audience.

This comes as BBC Studios executives hope to do re-makes of some of their most popular dramas for Chinese viewers, including Luther and Doctor Foster.

While the original Life on Mars was set in 1970s Britain, the Chinese version will be set in 1990s Beijing.

The BBC said this is because it was "a time of economic growth and cultural prosperity," adding that it was "a landmark decade as China became increasingly open to the rest of the world culturally. The Chinese version of Life on Mars will reflect this remarkable era of change, conflict and challenges."

The 90s were a time of massive economic expansion and change in China, which saw the return of Hong Kong from UK to Chinese control.

BBC Studios announced a new collaboration with Phoenix Entertainment Group to create a local Mandarin adaptation of the Bafta and Emmy-award winning drama, Life on Mars, from Kudos Film & Television.

This is BBC Studios’ first partnership with the Beijing-based production house, which counts the Chinese state broadcaster CCTV among its partners.

The original version of the programme, which starred John Simm and Philip Glenister, sees a present day detective transported mysteriously back in time, after a near-fatal accident.