Life on Mars (2008)
A New York detective wakes up in 1973 after a car crash, caught between two worlds and unsure of what's real.
Life on Mars - Series Information
- Original Title: Life on Mars
- First Air Year: 2008
- Last Air Year: 2009
- Created by: Matthew Graham, Tony Jordan et al.
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Mystery, Drama, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 17
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Networks: ABC
- Production Companies: Kudos, 20th Century Fox Television, ABC Studios
- Production Countries: United States of America
- Alternative Titles: Life on Mars (US) (UK)
Life on Mars - Plot
After a car crash, police detective Sam Tyler mysteriously finds himself transported back to 1973 and still working as a detective.
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Life on Mars - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Matthew Graham
- Tony Jordan
- Ashley Pharoah
Main Cast
- Jason O'Mara
- Harvey Keitel
- Gretchen Mol
- Michael Imperioli
- Jonathan Murphy
- Greg D'Agostino
- Chris Miskiewicz
- John Cenatiempo
- Lisa Bonet
- Tanya Fischer
Writers
- Adele Lim
- David Wilcox
- Scott Rosenberg
- Bryan Oh
Life on Mars - FAQs
Is Life on Mars based on a true story?
Not at all — it's a work of fiction. Life on Mars is an American remake of the acclaimed British series of the same name, which was created by Matthew Graham, Tony Jordan, and Ashley Pharoah. The story of a detective flung back to 1973 is entirely invented, though it draws on real cultural tensions of that era.
Where can I watch Life on Mars online?
Life on Mars is currently available to purchase on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. There is no free streaming option at this time, but buying an episode or the full season is straightforward on any of those platforms.
Does Life on Mars explain Sam Tyler's time travel?
The show keeps you guessing right up to its finale. Sam Tyler's situation is deliberately ambiguous throughout the series — is he truly in 1973, in a coma, or losing his mind? The American version wraps things up with a definitive ending that differs significantly from its British counterpart, offering a more concrete resolution.
How does the US ending differ from the UK version?
The American finale takes a bold sci-fi turn, revealing that Sam and his colleagues are actually astronauts on a mission to Mars, with their 1973 personas being simulations. It's a divisive conclusion that departs sharply from the British original's more grounded, emotionally resonant ending.
Who are the main actors in Life on Mars?
The series stars Jason O'Mara as Det. Sam Tyler and Harvey Keitel as the gruff Lt. Gene Hunt. They're joined by Gretchen Mol as Policewoman Annie Norris, Michael Imperioli as Det. Ray Carling, Lisa Bonet as Detective Maya Daniels, and Jonathan Murphy as Det. Chris Skelton.
How many episodes does Life on Mars have?
The American Life on Mars ran for a single season of 17 episodes, airing on ABC from October 2008 to April 2009. Despite a passionate fan base, the network cancelled the show after one season, though the producers were given the chance to craft a proper series finale.
Is Life on Mars worth watching for fans of the UK original?
It's a mixed bag but genuinely entertaining. Harvey Keitel brings real menace and charisma to Gene Hunt, and Jason O'Mara holds his own as Sam Tyler. The show finds its footing mid-season and delivers solid procedural drama with a time-travel twist, even if it never quite matches the emotional depth of the British version.
What are shows similar to Life on Mars?
If you enjoy Life on Mars, try Keen Eddie for its fish-out-of-water detective charm, or Odyssey 5 for time-bending sci-fi drama. Chief Detective 1958 offers a compelling period crime angle, while Rookie Blue delivers engaging police procedural storytelling. Dimension 404 is another solid anthology pick for sci-fi fans.
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