'Caprica' will begin production this spring

Well, it's been about two years since "Battlestar Galactica" fans were first teased with promises of a prequel, which finally seems to be underway.

A two-hour backdoor pilot for the series "Caprica" has been greenlit, announced the Sci Fi Channel Wednesday.

From executive producers Ronald D. Moore and David Eick, the new series is set 50 years before "BSG" and centers on rival families the Greystones and the Adamas as they thrive in the bustling, technology-driven world of the 12 Colonies that eventually creates the Cylons. As with any classic tales featuring two families, intrigue, romance and backstabbing will reign.

"I'm thrilled with the chance to expand on the 'Galactica' world and get deeper into the origins of the story we've been telling," says Moore. "It's also great to have a chance at doing a completely different kind of science fiction series, one that's even more character-oriented and doesn't rely on pyrotechnics to carry the story."

Eick adds, "While 'Caprica' will have its own personality, it will carry on 'Battlestar's' commitment to pushing the boundaries of the genre, and we're thrilled that Sci Fi has seen fit to giving us another opportunity to tell character-driven stories in challenging ways."

Moore and "24's" Remi Aubuchon will co-write the "Caprica," which will be directed by Jeff Reiner ("Friday Night Lights"). Production will begin this spring in Vancouver.

"We couldn't be more excited to see this long-anticipated project get off the ground," says Mark Stern, the channel's Executive Vice President of Original Programming. "It's an amazing script, and, though clearly inspired by the 'Battlestar' mythology, it is not just a pale spin-off. This is a smart, thought-provoking, emotional, and compelling character drama in its own right."

The fourth and final season of the critically acclaimed, Peabody-winning "Battlestar Galactica" will begin airing on Friday, April 4.