With the original about to begin its final season, the network is set to begin production on the two-hour prequel from its creators, Ronald D. Moore and David Eick, this spring in Vancouver.

Sci Fi announced its plans at its annual upfront presentation to advertisers and press in New York Tuesday night. It originally announced its intention to do the show in April 2006.

Caprica is set 50 years before Battlestar Galactica and will follow two rival families and the backstabbing and passion involved as they evolve in the world of the 12 Colonies.

The show, from Universal Media Studios, is executive-produced by Moore and Eick and co-written by Moore and Remi Aubuchon.

“We couldn’t be more excited to see this long-anticipated project get off the ground,” Sci Fi executive vice president of original programming Mark Stern said. “It’s an amazing script and, though clearly inspired by the Battlestar mythology, it is not just a pale spinoff. This is a smart, thought-provoking, emotional and compelling character drama in its own right.”