Veronica Mars scores digital spin-off series

Cult TV show Veronica Mars is returning as a new online spin-off series.

Fans of the detective drama can expect another dose of the show when a spin-off debuts online via the CW network's new Seed website - the same company which Veronica Mars called home when it was on the air from 2004 to 2007.

CW chief Mark Pedowitz made the announcement on Wednesday (15Jan14) during the Television Critics Association's winter press tour, and revealed, "The Veronica Mars movie got it going. (Creator) Rob Thomas is very excited about doing this at CW Seed, but... It may not appear before the film comes out."

He also added that the spin-off will likely consist of six to eight 10-minute segments, but no time frame has been set for its release.

Thomas later took to Twitter.com to reveal the spin-off will star Veronica Mars regular Ryan Hansen, who will play a version of himself, as he attempts to put together a spin-off for his character, Dick Casablancas.

Veronica Mars had a revival last year (13) when Thomas, along with star Kristen Bell, launched a Kickstarter.com crowdfunding campaign to bring the show to the big screen.

They ended up raising $5.7 million in fan donations in 30 days and became the most-supported project in the fundraising website's history.

The Veronica Mars film hits cinemas in March (14).