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The American version of Outrageous Fortune is luring stars from hit shows such as Desperate Housewives and Arrested Development.
A pilot by Los Angeles-based ABC, Good Behavior, received an early stamp of approval from Kiwi production company South Pacific Pictures.
Chief executive John Barnett said he would see the full two-hour show next week, but was "very happy" with the cast. The matriarch character made popular by Robyn Malcolm will be played by Catherine O'Hara, with Desperate Housewives baddie Gary Cole as her husband.
Jeffrey Tambor and Mae Whitman, of Emmy-award winning Arrested Development, also star.
The show has been remade in Britain as Honest. But despite starring top actress Amanda Redman, it was labelled a "flop" by the Daily Telegraph. The first episode attracted a six million viewers but the figure halved by episode three.
Barnett said Honest was different to Outrageous Fortune because it was condensed into six episodes and commissioned as a comedy.
"They went for the humour, made it a little bit softer and played more for laughs, rather than all the family stuff." A personnel change at ITV meant a second series had yet to be commissioned, but that could happen, said Barnett.
Slovenia, Croatia, Ireland, Canada and Australia have also bought the rights while Greece, Russia and Italy are discussing their own versions.
Barnett said any country that remade the show would adapt it to its needs.
South Pacific Pictures was proud of Outrageous Fortune, particularly because its current fourth series was attracting record viewing figures - and beating rival Sensing Murder on one occasion, he said.
The show has attracted an average audience of 425,300 this season, up almost 50,000 on the third series, and more than 100,000 on the second. A decision on making a fifth series will be made next week.
