Life on Mars

Watch Life on Mars

  • TV-14
  • 2008
  • 2 Seasons
  • 7.5  (10,826)

Life on Mars is an American science-fiction crime drama television series that aired on ABC from 2008 to 2009. The show stars Jason O'Mara as Sam Tyler, Harvey Keitel as Gene Hunt, Jonathan Murphy as Chris Skelton, Michael Imperioli as Ray Carling and Gretchen Mol as Annie Norris.

The show is a remake of a British series of the same name that aired from 2006 to 2007. Life on Mars follows Detective Sam Tyler, who is investigating a case in 2008 when he gets hit by a car and wakes up in 1973. He finds himself working for the same department but with different colleagues. His boss is the tough and unorthodox Detective Gene Hunt who does not appreciate Tyler's modern methods of investigation.

As Tyler tries to adjust to his new surroundings, he starts to question his reality and wonders if this is all a dream or if he has somehow traveled back in time. He is haunted by visions of his former life in the present day, leading him to believe that he may be in a coma. Tyler tries to find a way back to his own time, but he discovers that his new reality may be more complicated than he first thought.

Throughout the series, Tyler works on various cases with Hunt and his colleagues, trying to solve crimes in 1973 with limited resources and technology. Tyler's modern approach clashes with Hunt's old-school methods, leading to frequent disagreements between the two detectives. Despite their differences, they develop a mutual respect for each other over time.

The show also explores the social and political landscape of the 1970s, with issues such as the Women's Liberation Movement and racial tensions affecting the characters' lives. Tyler's modern-day perspective allows the show to comment on these issues and how they have evolved over time.

Life on Mars is a unique twist on the crime drama genre, combining elements of science fiction and time travel with a classic police procedural. The show's writing and acting are both strong, with a talented cast bringing the characters to life. O'Mara and Keitel have great chemistry as Tyler and Hunt, and their scenes together are some of the show's highlights.

In addition to the show's main story arc, each episode also has its own self-contained crime story that the characters solve. This structure allows the show to delve into different aspects of 1970s culture and provide a snapshot of the era.

Despite its critical acclaim, Life on Mars only ran for one season on ABC. However, the show has a loyal fan base and has since been adapted into different formats around the world. The show's unique concept and strong execution make it a must-watch for any science fiction or crime drama fan.

Life on Mars is a series that ran for 2 seasons (25 episodes) between October 9, 2008 and on ABC

Life on Mars
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Seasons
Episode 8
8. Episode 8
April 10, 2007
CID is chasing a notorious cop killer and Gene is going undercover as part of a departmental sting operation to catch the villain red-handed during a train heist. All Sam has to do, Morgan promises, is one more job and he can 'come home'. Sam's presumptions about his past, future and his very soul unravel in a heart-stopping climax.
Episode 7
7. Episode 7
April 3, 2007
Sam is woken in the middle of the night by Gene - drunk, and apparently having killed someone. While the evidence stacks up against Gene, Sam tries to prove his Guv's innocence, watched by DCI Frank Morgan from Hyde division.
Episode 6
6. Episode 6
March 27, 2007
Heroin has hit the streets of Manchester and Gene wants culprits. When investigating the murder of a Ugandan Asian man, Sam battles against the bigoted reaction of his DCI. His sympathy is further stirred by messages from Maya, his Asian girlfriend in 2007.
Episode 5
5. Episode 5
March 20, 2007
Sam feels strange - stranger than usual. Whilst trying to work out the cause of his vivid imaginings, he has to deal with an urgent investigation when a man tries to hang himself in A-division. Sam must shake the demons from his head to help a desperate family.
Episode 4
4. Episode 4
March 13, 2007
The body of a young woman is found in wasteland. The investigation takes the team to suburbia, where a local car dealer is throwing private parties, employing the make-up girls to 'help out' when the wife-swapping begins...
Episode 3
3. Episode 3
February 20, 2007
When a bomb warning is reported, A-Division goes on red alert. The IRA has begun its mainland bombing campaign. Now the terror has arrived - or has it?
Episode 2
2. Episode 2
February 13, 2007
With his mentor presiding over an armed robbery investigation, DCI Gene Hunt is keen to show off his team. And with his own (future) mentor working with the team as a lowly DC, Sam too tries to be at his best.
Episode 1
1. Episode 1
February 13, 2007
Despite eerie visions of 2006, DCI Sam Tyler remains in the 70s - where he encounters the young incarnation of a nasty villain Sam put away in 2006. He sees the chance every policeman dreams about: stopping the killer before he kills.
Description
Where to Watch Life on Mars
Life on Mars is available for streaming on the ABC website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Life on Mars on demand at Apple TV Channels, Amazon Prime, Netflix, Amazon, Vudu, Google Play and Apple TV.
  • Premiere Date
    October 9, 2008
  • IMDB Rating
    7.5  (10,826)