One of the well-known science fiction novels of all time is being developed into a TV series, with the daughter of its Jewish author serving as an executive producer.

Apple has reportedly ordered a series based on Foundation by Isaac Asimov, from Skydance Television, which made a deal with the Asimov estate last year.

David S. Goyer (Blade, The Dark Knight, Man of Steel) and Josh Friedman (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles) are the designated showrunners and executive producers, with other executive producers including Robyn Asimov, Isaac Asimov’s daughter.

Foundation is the first book in the Foundation series, which won the Hugo Award in 1966 for Best All-time Series, beating competitors including Lord of the Rings. It tells the story of the decline and fall of an all-embracing galactic empire, and the creation of a mysterious Foundation on the periphery of civilisation.

There have been a number of attempts to adapt the classic science fiction series for both the big and small screens, most recently by HBO.

The show is one of a number ordered by Apple, as part of plans by the tech company to enter the media market and compete with companies including Netflix, Amazon and Disney. The initial order for the series is 10 episodes.

Isaac Asimov, who was also a professor of biochemistry at Boston University, wrote or edited more than 500 books during his lifetime, the most famous being his Foundation novels and his Robot stories, in which he laid out “three laws of robotics” which have become well known in popular culture.

No timescale for the series’ production has yet been announced.