Leading UK indie producer Ecosse Films has had a major breakthrough in the US following US network ABC”s decision to greenlight a version of BBC drama Mistresses.

The US Mistresses will have an initial run of 10-episodes and is due to launch in 2013. ABC is hoping it can be a replacement for Desperate Housewives.

Ecosse, which successfully bridges the film and TV production sectors, has already had some joy in the US with historical drama Camelot. But after that show”s termination, Mistresses on ABC is a new opportunity for the indie to make its mark in the lucrative US market.  

Ecosse MD Douglas Rae and ABC”s Bob Sertner are exec producing and KJ Steinberg (The Nine, Gossip Girl) has been appointed as showrunner. Rae has also started discussing the possibility of Ecosse using Mistresses to launch a permanent production base in the US market.