The 2005 Academy Award-winning film “Crash” will become a 13-episode TV series and the first original drama on Starz, which will produce it with Lionsgate.

Several of the film’s producers have already signed to work on the upcoming series, trade paper Variety reports. Lionsgate, who distributed the film, is co-producing the series with Starz. Among the film’s producers, Paul Haggis (who directed the movie), Bobby Moresco (also co-writer of the movie), Bob Yari, Don Cheadle (who starred), Mark R. Harris and Tom Nunan will take part in the television series.

Production is expected to begin in the spring, and the first episode will be broadcast towards the end of the year. Caleb Kane has written the script for the pilot.

Stephan Shelanski, executive VP of programming for Starz Entertainment, said the series would have “high production values,” but decisions are still to be made on casting and the shooting location, per Variety. Lionsgate signed a deal with the writers guild last week, which makes it possible to begin work on such details immediately, Shelanski said.

The “Crash” series will reportedly focus on different characters from the film but maintain “the style of storytelling,” Kevin Beggs, president of programming and production for Lionsgate, told Variety.

“We’ll use the style of storytelling from the movie,” he said, “but there’ll be new characters and new stories to get into the subjects of race and class, and the bigotry that’s simmering under the skin of a city like Los Angeles.”

“Crash” won three Oscars at the 78th Academy Awards, for Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay and Best Editing of 2005. Its all-star cast included Matt Dillon, Sandra Bullock, Don Cheadle, Jennifer Esposito, Terrence Howard, Ryan Phillippe, Ludacris and Thandie Newton, among others.

Haggis received a nomination for Best Director, while Dillon was nominated in the Best Supporting Actor category.

Reuters quoted Shelanski as stating there is a “strong possibility” that Cheadle will reprise his film role, in addition to his duties as executive producer.

Starz launched two original comedy series last week, “Head Case” and “Hollywood Residential,” thus beginning the expansion from its initial status as a movie channel.