NBCUniversal’s first ever scripted/telenovela adaptation for Thailand premieres in early November in a deal with the Bangkok-based One 31 HD free-TV digital broadcast channel, NBCUni said in Cannes as this year’s Mipcom market kicked off.

Telemundo’s original 140+ episode Spanish-language Latin drama, “El Cuerpo del Deseo”, has been reformatted to 24 episodes for Thailand, where it will air as “Second Chance” (“ชีวิตภาคสอง”).

This is the first time the series is being re-made in Asia. Adaptations have previously been made for the U.S., Uganda and Mexico.

Produced by Takonkiet Viravan (“My Lucky Star”), the Thai adaptation stars Jirayu “Got” Tantrakul (“Bad Guys”) in the story of a rich old man reincarnated as a handsome but poor younger man who goes on to discover dark secrets about his young and beautiful widow.

“Second Chance” will air in One 31 HD’s Monday/Tuesday prime-time 8.30pm drama slot. The premiere date has not yet been announced.

Best known in Asia for its unscripted business, NBCUniversal Format’s entry into Latam scripted licensing is part of a broader strategy for the Singapore-based regional operation under Asia VP formats, distribution and production, Linfield Ng.

Ng says Thai and Telemundo drama shares a DNA that gives the Latam titles the edge in Thailand, a key market for NBCUniversal Formats.

Discussions are being held in other Asian markets.

The One 31 HD deal follows NBCUniversal Format’s win for Best Unscripted Formats Adaptation in Asia for “Top Chef” (Heliconia H Group) in this year’s ContentAsia Awards.