Written by Paula Milne, the series has been commissioned for BBC Two as part of the channel's new project to revive "thought-provoking adult drama", says Media Guardian.
With the working title of White Heat, the programme echoes Peter Flannery's acclaimed epic which followed London-based art students from 1965 to the present day.
The venture is being produced by ITV Studios, and signals ongoing changes by BBC director of drama commissioning Ben Stephenson.
Stephenson recently announced that the BBC would be cutting down on its established dramas.
