Series synopsis
Life on Mars is an American crime drama mystery sci-fi & fantasy television series that premiered on ABC on October 9, 2008. It ended on April 1, 2009. It was created by Matthew Graham, Tony Jordan, Ashley Pharoah. It stars Jason O'Mara, Harvey Keitel, Gretchen Mol and Michael Imperioli.
A detective chief inspector from 2006 is investigating a serial killer when he is knocked over by a speeding car. Waking up, he finds himself mysteriously transported back in time to 1973. Initially struggling to come to terms with his situation, he has to come to terms with the old-fashioned technology and attitude of the day, while figuring out how he came to be trapped in the past.
Premise
A detective chief inspector from 2006 is investigating a serial killer when he is knocked over by a speeding car. Waking up, he finds himself mysteriously transported back in time to 1973. Initially struggling to come to terms with his situation, he has to come to terms with the old-fashioned technology and attitude of the day, while figuring out how he came to be trapped in the past.
Premise: A modern day cop in a 1973 world.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Jason O'Mara as Det. Sam Tyler
- Harvey Keitel as Lt. Gene Hunt
- Gretchen Mol as Policewoman Annie Norris
- Michael Imperioli as Det. Ray Carling
- Odette Annable as Adrienne
- Jonathan Murphy as Det. Chris Skelton
- Heather Matarazzo as June
- Maggie Siff as Maria Belanger
Supporting cast
- Greg D'Agostino as Detective
- Chris Miskiewicz
- Lisa Bonet as Detective Maya Daniels
- John D'Leo as Robbie Reeves
- Carrie Getman as Dora Keen
- Phyllis Somerville as Mrs. Raimes
- Mike Starr as Nelson
- Austin Basis as Willy Kramer
- Ramsey Faragallah as Raimes' Lawyer
- Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick as Young Colin
- Francisco Burgos as Boy #1
- Sylvia Miles as Mrs. Salvaggio
Guest cast
- John D'Leo as Robbie Reeves
- Carrie Getman as Dora Keen
- Phyllis Somerville as Mrs. Raimes
- Mike Starr as Nelson
- Austin Basis as Willy Kramer
- Ramsey Faragallah as Raimes' Lawyer
- Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick as Young Colin
- Francisco Burgos as Boy #1
- Sylvia Miles as Mrs. Salvaggio
- Pablo Schreiber as Kim Trent
- Bruce Kirkpatrick as Freddy Gerald
- Patrick Noonan as Dax Benson
Episodes
This series spans 3 seasons with 40 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 15 | July 8, 2018 | |
| Season 1 | 17 | October 9, 2008 | April 1, 2009 |
| Season 2 | 8 | February 13, 2007 | April 10, 2007 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Hit and Run Things aren't going well for Sam Tyler. After a car accident he goes to work to find everything is different. It is no longer 2007, it is 1972. This is an unaired pilot. Most of the cast changed between this version and the version which aired. |
July 7, 2018 |
| 2 |
To Mars and Back Journey back to the 70's to see where the show's concept originated and discover hints to figure out where it's headed - Plus the mind-trip reality of living in the 70's on a 2008 set. |
July 8, 2018 |
| 3 |
Sunrise to Sunset with Jason O'Mara Experience Jason O'Mara's exhilarating and exhausting "Life on Mars". |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Out Here in the Fields Modern-day NYPD Detective Sam Tyler finds himself suddenly hurtled back to the tumultuous times of New York City in 1973 when he's hit by a car while chasing down a criminal. |
October 9, 2008 |
| 2 |
The Real Adventures of the Unreal Sam Tyler Sam investigates a series of fatal robberies at cash-checking stores while evidence points to someone in the squad being involved. |
October 16, 2008 |
| 3 |
My Maharishi is Bigger than Your Maharishi The murder of a returning Vietnam veteran has Lieutenant Hunt outraged, as he demands a quick resolution to what quickly becomes a complicated and controversial case. As Sam and the squad's team of detectives explore the circumstances surrounding the homicide, Tyler is sent down a mysterious path that may provide clues about his own family's past and why he is back in 1973 |
October 23, 2008 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 Tyler has visions of someone disrupting his life support system in 2006, and encounters who he thinks is the same assailant in 1973, running a gambling syndicate and protection racket. Recognising the man as a killer he failed to stop in the future, Tyler is prepared to go to any lengths to make sure his life is not threatened and the man doesn't kill his original victim. |
February 13, 2007 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 After collecting a career safe breaker from prison for further questioning, Tyler, Ray and Chris are attacked by armed men enabling the escape of the prisoner. Is a local gangster to blame, or was the crime actually arranged by Gene's old mentor? Meanwhile, Sam tries to discourage the first black detective in the department from doing an Uncle Tom act, as he will become Sam's mentor when he first joins the force. |
February 20, 2007 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 The team receives a warning, claiming the IRA has planted a car bomb in Manchester. Sam realises the warning doesn't conform to IRA techniques. However, when Sam's knowledge backfires, nearly killing Ray, the department shuns his line of investigation to focus on an Irish socialist group. Meanwhile, Sam's visions of the future suggest he may have suffered brain damage, affecting his higher reasoning, due to him being in a coma for so long. |
March 6, 2007 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | ABC |
|---|---|
| First aired | October 9, 2008 |
| Last aired | April 1, 2009 |
| Runtime | 60 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Wednesday at 22:00:00 |