Release CalendarDVD & Blu-ray ReleasesTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsIn TheatersComing SoonMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersEmmysSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)

Life on Mars

  • TV Series
  • 2008–20092008–2009
  • TV-14TV-14
  • 1h
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
10K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,485
238
Episode guide
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Harvey Keitel, Gretchen Mol, Michael Imperioli, and Jason O'Mara in Life on Mars (2008)
A present day car accident mysteriously sends a detective back to the 1970s.
Play trailer2:40
7 Videos
99+ Photos
CrimeDramaMystery

A present day car accident mysteriously sends a detective back to the 1970s.A present day car accident mysteriously sends a detective back to the 1970s.A present day car accident mysteriously sends a detective back to the 1970s.

IMDb RATING
7.4/10
10K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,485
238
  • Creators
    • Josh Appelbaum
    • André Nemec
    • Scott Rosenberg
  • Stars
    • Jason O'Mara
    • Michael Imperioli
    • Gretchen Mol
Top credits
  • Creators
    • Josh Appelbaum
    • André Nemec
    • Scott Rosenberg
  • Stars
    • Jason O'Mara
    • Michael Imperioli
    • Gretchen Mol
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 98User reviews
    • 9Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy
      • 9 nominations total

    Episodes18

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated
    1 Season

    Videos7

    Life On Mars: The Complete First Season
    Clip 1:03
    Life On Mars: The Complete First Season
    Life On Mars: The Complete First Season
    Clip 1:02
    Life On Mars: The Complete First Season
    Life On Mars: The Complete First Season
    Clip 1:50
    Life On Mars: The Complete First Season
    Life On Mars: The Complete First Season
    Clip 1:20
    Life On Mars: The Complete First Season
    Life On Mars: The Complete First Season
    Clip 1:37
    Life On Mars: The Complete First Season
    Life On Mars: The Complete First Season
    Clip 1:24
    Life On Mars: The Complete First Season
    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:40
    Official Trailer

    Photos177

    Gretchen Mol in Life on Mars (2008)
    Life on Mars (2008)
    Gretchen Mol and Jonathan Murphy in Life on Mars (2008)
    Jason O'Mara in Life on Mars (2008)
    Harvey Keitel in Life on Mars (2008)
    Michael Imperioli in Life on Mars (2008)
    Jason O'Mara in Life on Mars (2008)
    Jason O'Mara in Life on Mars (2008)
    Jason O'Mara in Life on Mars (2008)
    Jason O'Mara in Life on Mars (2008)
    Jonathan Murphy in Life on Mars (2008)
    Mark Greenberg in Life on Mars (2008)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jason O'Mara
    Jason O'Mara
    • Detective Sam Tyleras Detective Sam Tyler…
    18 episodes18 eps • 2008–2009
    Michael Imperioli
    Michael Imperioli
    • Detective Ray Carlingas Detective Ray Carling
    17 episodes17 eps • 2008–2009
    Gretchen Mol
    Gretchen Mol
    • Annie Norrisas Annie Norris
    17 episodes17 eps • 2008–2009
    Jonathan Murphy
    Jonathan Murphy
    • Detective Chris Skeltonas Detective Chris Skelton
    17 episodes17 eps • 2008–2009
    Harvey Keitel
    Harvey Keitel
    • Lieutenant Gene Huntas Lieutenant Gene Hunt
    17 episodes17 eps • 2008–2009
    John Cenatiempo
    John Cenatiempo
    • Sizable Tedas Sizable Ted
    13 episodes13 eps • 2008–2009
    Dominick Mancino
    Dominick Mancino
    • Detectiveas Detective
    12 episodes12 eps • 2008–2009
    Caleb Wallace
    • Young Sammyas Young Sammy
    6 episodes6 eps • 2008–2009
    Lisa Bonet
    Lisa Bonet
    • Detective Maya Danielsas Detective Maya Daniels
    5 episodes5 eps • 2008–2009
    Tanya Fischer
    Tanya Fischer
    • Windyas Windy
    5 episodes5 eps • 2008–2009
    Christian Wallace
    • Young Sammyas Young Sammy
    5 episodes5 eps • 2008–2009
    Jennifer Ferrin
    Jennifer Ferrin
    • Ruth Tyleras Ruth Tyler…
    5 episodes5 eps • 2008–2009
    Matthew Cowles
    Matthew Cowles
    • Cowboy Danas Cowboy Dan
    4 episodes4 eps • 2008–2009
    Emerald-Angel Young
    • Keishaas Keisha…
    4 episodes4 eps • 2008–2009
    Maggie Siff
    Maggie Siff
    • Maria Belangeras Maria Belanger
    3 episodes3 eps • 2009
    Dean Winters
    Dean Winters
    • Vic Tyleras Vic Tyler
    3 episodes3 eps • 2008–2009
    Ken Marks
    • Newscasteras Newscaster…
    3 episodes3 eps • 2008
    Deidre Goodwin
    • Nurseas Nurse
    3 episodes3 eps • 2008–2009
    • Creators
      • Josh Appelbaum(developed for American television by)
      • André Nemec(developed for American television by)
      • Scott Rosenberg(developed for American television by)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit
    Sam Tyler is a police detective in 2008 when he gets struck by a car and is knocked unconscious. When he comes to and finds himself in 1973 he goes to his precinct and is mistaken for a transfer from another precinct. He finds himself trying to do things a little differently from what he is used to. And he tries to figure out why he is in 1973. —rcs0411@yahoo.com
    mars the planetouter spacepsychotronic seriessupernatural powertime travel21 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Back in the nick of time
    • Genres
      • Crime
      • Drama
      • Mystery
      • Sci-Fi
    • Certificate
      • TV-14
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      When the series was cancelled midway through the first season in March 2009, producers had time to make the last episode the series finale, solving the mystery and answering most of the outstanding questions.
    • Goofs
      Green and white street signs can frequently be seen. These colors were not introduced in NYC until the mid-1980s.
    • Connections
      Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Worst American TV Remakes (2014)

    User reviews98

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Better than the original?
    In some ways, it is.

    When I first heard "Life On Mars" was being adapted for American television, I really didn't expect much. And when I first watched it, I was unimpressed. The British series is just SO original, and SO excellent. Who could replace the Gov? No one. Even now that my opinion of the show has changed, I still think he is irreplaceable. But that's okay! The American series has other things going for it, which I suspect largely stem from a bigger budget. The music is better, for one. Also, the attention to detail is immaculate. One of the joys of watching it is experiencing the atmosphere of 1973 New York. I also quite like Michael Imperioli as Ray— perhaps he's not as funny as Dean Andrews, but he's enjoyable to watch in a grittier kind of way. I also like Jason O'Mara as Sam Tyler. He brings a lightness to the role which was absent in John Simm's portrayal. Whereas Simm was often terribly serious and painfully moral (admittedly why we loved him—it is these traits which made his exchanges with Gene Hunt so entertaining), O'Mara's Sam Tyler immerses himself more in the time period. When he takes delight in 1973, so do we. One of the few elements damaged by the adaptation is DC Chris Skelton—played in the BBC series by the talent Marshall Lancaster. Jonathon Murphy fills the role in the ABC version and he is so extremely boring that I lament the adaptation of his character every time he appears in a scene. Finally, it's certain that Harvey Keitel has big shoes to fill but he's adequate. He's a professional and has a presence which embodies 1973 New York.

    If you are a big fan of the British series, you will enjoy this show. And if you've only ever seen this adaptation, I encourage you to rent the original BBC series.
    helpful•29
    19
    • interpol_ated
    • Nov 7, 2008

    FAQ3

    • Where can I find a song I heard on the show?
    • Is the ending of Life on Mars USA the same as Life on Mars UK? (spoilers)

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 9, 2008 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • 迴轉幹探
    • Filming locations
      • New York City, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Kudos Film and Television
      • 20th Century Fox Television
      • ABC Signature
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 16:9 HD

    Related news

    Latest Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. Clip Introduces Jason O'Mara's New Director - Is He Jeffrey Mace/The Patriot?
    Sep 26ComicBookMovie.com
    Latest Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. Clip Introduces Jason O'Mara's New Director - Is He Jeffrey Mace/The Patriot?
    Sep 26ComicBookMovie.com

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Harvey Keitel, Gretchen Mol, Michael Imperioli, and Jason O'Mara in Life on Mars (2008)
    Top Gap
    By what name was Life on Mars (2008) officially released in India in English?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page
    Add episode

    More to explore

    View list
    List
    The Best Movies and Shows to Watch in April
    See the full list
    View list
    List
    2022 TV Guide: The Best Shows Coming This Year
    See the full list

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads

    © 1990-2022 by IMDb.com, Inc.