Life on Mars 

After being involved in a car accident in 2006, DCI Sam Tyler wakes up to find himself in 1973, the era of 'Sweeney' type policing, Mark III Cortinas, and flared trousers.

Creators:

Matthew Graham, Tony Jordan, Ashley Pharoah

Stars:

John Simm, Philip Glenister, Liz White

9 wins & 30 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
John Simm	...	Sam Tyler 16 episodes, 2006-2007
Philip Glenister	...	Gene Hunt 16 episodes, 2006-2007
Liz White	...	Annie Cartwright 16 episodes, 2006-2007
Dean Andrews	...	Ray Carling 16 episodes, 2006-2007
Marshall Lancaster	...	Chris Skelton 16 episodes, 2006-2007
Noreen Kershaw	...	Phyllis Dobbs 16 episodes, 2006-2007
Tony Marshall	...	Nelson 12 episodes, 2006-2007

Storyline

After being involved in a car accident in 2006, DCI Sam Tyler wakes up to find himself in 1973, the era of 'Sweeney' type policing, Mark III Cortinas, and flared trousers.

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Plot Keywords:

car accident | manchester | surrealism | title based on song | manchester england | 

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Taglines:

Two cops in the same town at the same time... 33 years apart

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

TV-14

Details

Official Sites:

BBC [UK]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 July 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Život na Marsu

Filming Locations:

Stockport, Cheshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Kudos Film and Television, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Red Planet Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

42 min (16 episodes) (cut) 60 min (16 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Following the conclusion of filming the second and final series, the Ford Cortina was auctioned on eBay to raise money for Comic Relief.

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Goofs

The bar scene: No beers cost 22p in 1973. Also, as the UK were still changing the money over, use and handing over of decimals would have been a lot slower than as shown in the film. Beer in Manchester would have been between 10np and 15np (or 2-3 shillings).

It was revealed in Ashes to Ashes that this era inhabited is a kind of police purgatory: Heavy artistic license can be used with these details, as it's not the real living world/ reality being portrayed.

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Quotes

Sam Tyler: [credits introduction] My name is Sam Tyler. I had an accident, and I woke up in 1973. Am I mad, in a coma, or back in time? Whatever's happened, it's like I've landed on a different planet. Now, maybe if I can work out the reason, I can get home.

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Alternate Versions

While the version shown on BBC in the UK are 58 minutes in duration, the repeats on Bravo (UK) and the versions shown worldwide are cut down to about 42 minutes to make way for adverts and to cut down on the more adult material (particularly nudity and swearing). Much of the 1970s music is also replaced with public domain music due to rights issues.

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Connections

Remade as La-i-peu on Ma-seu (2018)

User Reviews

The best cop show on TV since the 70's

How nobody thought of writing this before Matthew Graham and the other main writers on the show, i don't know. Actor John Simm (Sam Tyler) has been quoted as saying when he read the script he thought it was bonkers but, oh my does it work. Terrific casting not just Simm, but all the cast.Special mentions for Phillip Glennister as the Gene Genie!! and Liz White as the sweet but smart wpc Annie Cartwright.

All 8 episodes are both dramatically interesting and often very funny. The use of a terrific 1970's soundtrack complements it perfectly.

The DVD boxset release of this series offers terrific insights into the making of the series through documentaries and commentary on each episode.

The show is being picked up by broadcasters all over the world, so if you haven't seen this brilliant show yet i am sure you will soon. BBC America is showing it in July 2006 i believe. All UK fans can look forward to a new series early 2007.