Law and Order 'coming to London'

British actor Linus Roache has joined the cast of Law and Order

A British-made version of hit US crime drama Law and Order is to be produced, according to a report.

NBC, which makes the show, is in talks with the company behind Spooks to produce a London-based series, says industry paper The Hollywood Reporter.

The first locally-produced Law and Order will be screened on ITV and called Law and Order: London, it adds.

In the US, the 18th season of the show began on Wednesday evening, making it the longest-running TV crime serial.

While the rights to Law and Order have never been sold, countries including France and Russia have their own versions of the drama.

Law and Order has been running since 1990, spawning spin-off series including Law and Order: Criminal Intent and Special Victims Unit.

It has been nominated at the Emmy awards every year from 1991 to 2003, winning outstanding drama series in1997.