STARLIGHT Media and K. Jam Media have given the go-ahead for a new TV show to be created with award-winning producer Christopher Newman, whose previous work includes the iconic "Game of Thrones" series.

The new TV series, titled "Empress", will be a 13-episode drama, based on the story of Wu Zetian, China's only female empress.

The show reportedly carries an estimated budget of US$70 million, with production on the currently uncast project set to begin in Sichuan, China, in late 2017, with a premiere slated for 2018.

Newman will executive-produce the drama alongside Starlight Media chairman Xu Yan, CEO Peter Luo and Beely Lee as well as K. Jam CEO Kia Jam, with the plot to explore Zetian's ascent through the court of Emperor Tai Tsung as his favourite concubine, and her rise to power during the period of the Tang dynasty (618-906 A.D.).