The BBC has announced development of a futuristic series entitled Outcasts, dealing with humanity’s search for a new living space beyond Earth.

Written by Spooks scribe Ben Richards and made by production company Kudos, who were behind Life On Mars, Outcasts is described by the BBC as a “tense and fast-paced series about co-operation and conflict, idealism and power, sexual competition and love”.

Specific plot and character details have yet to be released, but the BBC stated that the show revolves around “life's big imperatives – cheating death, seeking suitable mates and surviving as a species.”

Jane Tranter, BBC Fiction Controller, relayed her enthusiasm for the project, commenting: "Following the unique success of time travel in Life On Mars, I'm naturally extremely excited about the dynamic duo of Kudos and Ben Richards joining forces to create a further dimension in BBC Drama."