The network has ordered 20 hours of the futuristic family drama to premiere in 2010

After "Battlestar Galactica" ends in 2009, fans of the series will only have to wait a year for more drama set in that universe.

Sci Fi Channel has greenlit production on the new prequel series " Caprica" for 20 hours of programming, including the two-hour pilot, it was announced Tuesday (Dec. 2).

In the world of "Caprica," set 50 years before "Battlestar," two rival families -- the Graystones and the Adamas -- grow, compete, and thrive in the vibrant world of the 12 Colonies. Politics, intrigue, sexual scheming and corporate conspiracy will deliver the drama to the series.

Esai Morales stars as Joseph Adama, rival to Eric Stoltz, who plays computer engineer Daniel Graystone. Joining them are Paula Malcolmson as a double agent/surgeon, Polly Walker as the duplicitous high priestess Clarice Willow and Alessandra Toressani as Zoe Graystone, Daniel's daughter.

As the series opens, Adama -- father of "BSG's" William Adama -- is a civil liberties lawyer who opposes the experiments to combine artificial intelligence with robotics creating the living robots known as Cylons, developed by Graystone's large computer corporation.

"'Caprica' will build on 'Battlestar Galactica's' acclaimed legacy of gripping drama and extraordinary characters," says Sci Fi President Dave Howe. "It's the beginning of a brand new epic saga that will appeal to both new viewers, totally unfamiliar with the Battlestar franchise, as well as existing loyal and passionate Battlestar fans."

Mark Stern, Executive Vice President, Original Programming for Sci Fi adds that "Caprica" won't be as dark as "Battlestar," but possesses "smart, dimensional characters who grapple with issues of love, sex and politics from a world in transition."

Production on the series will begin in Vancouver in Summer 2009 for a 2010 premiere.