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Beloved BBC drama Monarch of the Glen is set for a reboot more than two decades after the cherished original came to a close.

Channel 5 bosses have unveiled a "fresh reimagining" of the iconic Sunday night series, with one significant change being the introduction of a female lead.

The original BBC programme starred the late Richard Briers as laird Hector MacDonald, Susan Hampshire as his wife Molly, Alastair Mackenzie as their son Archie, and Dawn Steele as his unlikely wife Lexie. The cast also featured actor and writer Julian Fellowes, who would subsequently go on to create Downton Abbey, playing local landowner Lord Kilwillie.

Set against the breathtaking scenery of the Scottish Highlands, the show ran for seven series from 2000 to 2005 and drew audiences of eight million viewers at its peak.

Whether the reimagined version will feature characters directly linked to the MacDonalds remains unclear. However, the six-episode series is being produced by Ecosse Films, the production company behind the original Monarch of the Glen, who have promised a "rich, romantic and humorous family saga rooted in legacy, love and survival" brought to life by a "rich ensemble of unforgettable new characters", according to the Mirror.

The new storyline centres on high-flying London lawyer Isla Campbell, who returns to her family's rundown Highland estate following her estranged father's funeral. Expecting a fleeting visit of merely days, she discovers instead that she has inherited a million-pound debt, a looming bank, and a brother intent on safeguarding their ancestral home.

Brought together beneath one roof for the first time in years, the siblings must formulate a strategy to save the struggling estate before time runs out and they lose it forever.

Series creator Jeremy Brock commented: "When I was offered the chance to re-imagine Monarch of the Glen, I leapt at it. I'm hugely excited by the opportunity to tell a story of family life and finding your place in our hectic world - one that celebrates the warmth, humour and eccentricities of a special community, with both optimism and authenticity."

Robert Bernstein, head of drama at Ecosse Films, said Monarch of the Glen "holds a very special place in our hearts", adding: "At a time when family and community feel more important than ever, we can't wait to welcome our audience back to the Highlands to fall in love with Monarch of the Glen all over again."

Sebastian Cardwell, deputy chief content officer at 5, said it was "exactly the kind of bighearted, crowdpleasing drama that sits at the heart" of the channel.

He said: "Monarch of the Glen is a muchloved series, and this reimagining brings it back to life for a new generation. It's a rich family saga with heart and humour at its core." The series, which will also broadcast on Masterpiece in the US, is currently in pre-production, with shooting scheduled to take place in Scotland and Northern Ireland later this year.

The news arrives just one week after fans were left heartbroken by the passing of Alexander Morton, who played the estate's long-standing gamekeeper, Golly Mackenzie. Morton passed away from heart failure at the age of 81.