Network: ABC
Episodes: 17 (hour)
Seasons: One
TV show dates: October 9, 2008 — April 1, 2009
Series status: Cancelled/ended.
Performers include: Jason O’Mara, Michael Imperioli, Gretchen Mol, Harvey Keitel, Jonathan Murphy, Dominick Mancino, John Cenatiempo, Chris Miskiewicz, Tom Stratford, Lisa Bonet, Matthew Cowles, and Tanya Fischer.
TV show description: Sam Tyler (Jason O’Mara) is a modern-day detective for the NYPD’s 125th precinct. He lives with his girlfriend, Detective Maya Daniels (Lisa Bonet), who is kidnapped by a serial killer they’ve been investigating. Soonafter, while chasing a criminal, Tyler is hit and knocked unconscious by a speeding car. When he wakes up, Tyler finds that he’s been transported back to 1973.
Confused, Tyler makes his way back to his precinct building where he finds that the surrounding and attitudes are very different. Strangely, everyone at the precinct has been expecting him, thinking that he’s a transfer from Hyde Park.
Sam immediately clashes with his new boss, the irascible Lieutenant Gene Hunt (Harvey Keitel), a man who would rather use his fists than his brains to solve a crime. Eventually, the two begrudgingly become a powerful team — whether they like it or not.
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The other squad members are a unique group. Detective Ray Carling (Michael Imperioli) is a sexist tough-guy, Hunt’s former right-hand man, and a handy guy to have in your corner. Police Women’s Bureau member Annie Norris (Gretchen Mol) is often the smartest person in the room but she’s relegated to menial tasks because of her sex. Tyler often defends her and the two develop a relationship. Rookie Detective Chris Skelton (Jonathan Murphy) is a sweet guy trying to make it in this uncompromising world. He likes Tyler’s modern thinking and begins to emulate it.
When he first arrives at the precinct, confused Tyler demands to know why his computer, desk and chair are missing. The detectives wonder if Tyler has a unique way of establishing authority, is a science fiction fanatic, or both. Once things quiet down, the police delve into a case that strongly resembles the one that Tyler was investigating before his apparent time travel.
Tyler continually tries to figure out what’s happened to him and receives various subliminal messages through televisions, phones, and various hallucinations. Can he find a way to return home, in time to help his girlfriend in peril? Is he in a coma, insane, or a true time traveler?
The series is based on a UK show of the same name that ran for two seasons.
The show has been cancelled.
There are currently no plans to revive or remake the series.
Image courtesy ABC.
I just saw this series on netflix, WOW… and now I find it’s over…
Hi
I bought the entire American version of “Life on Mars” on DVD and found it quite entertaining. I thought the ending was a bit tame. Can the series be restarted and a more exciting and interesting ending be slotted in?
wow Just found out that Life On Mars was cancelled. Was my favorite show. Shame on you!!!!!!!!!!! Whoever cancelled it should be Fired!!
Bought season one…me and all my friends amazed…overjoyed…where’s season two? I saw episodes in hospital and got people to watch…best t.v. in years. Who’s thinking without a brain? No season two? You’re audience better be on mars if you expect us to consume the other crap on network tv….disgusted here.
i liked this show,was hard finding it ea week,would rather watch this than an info commercial or reruns of shows they show over and over ea week,or them stupid info commercials
Who is in charge of cancelling shows? you should be fired!!!!!!!!!!! Cancelling LIFE ON MARS and MY OWN WORST ENEMY! THE PERSON WHO HIRED YOU SHOULD BE FIRED ALSO. Almost everyone of my friends feel the same. ( AGE GROUP IS 21-50} I KNOW ALOT OF PEOPLE. We are EXTREMELY DISSAPPOINTED! NETWORK EXECUTIVES NEED TO WAKE UP!!!!!!!!~!!!!!!!!! OH, BY THE WAY, I HOPE YOU DONT THINK” THE FORGOTTEN” starring CHRISTIAN SLATER IS EVEN CLOSE TO BEING IN THE SAME LEAGUE WITH HIS PREVIOUS SHOW “MY OWN WORST ENEMY!” YOU SHOULD FIRE YOURSELF! 09/29/09
I just found out it was cancelled and not returning. Idiots – this was the best new show last year, riviting, emotional. Ugh!
Loved this show! Excellent writing and fantastic cast. Will miss it. Stupid mistake to cancel it!
Laruen: These idiots think that if a show doesn’t do a 15 rating, they can’t afford to keep it. According to polls ABC and including the others NBC/CBS are losing viewers left and right. ABC is the worst of them, because of them canceling the shows too soon. There maybe another reason that LOM was cancelled and they’re not releasing it. ABC only bought the BBC version 16 episodes and they were able to do a 17th to bring it too a close. Who knows. Either way ABC was stupid to cancel the show, and viewers threw it back in… Read more »
I loved this show! New Amsterdam was good too! I wonder why they canceled these shows so quickly? It would be interesting to find out.
My husband and I watched this every week. Why do they always cancel the good shows and replacing them with shows not worthy of staying home.
I liked this show! It was more interesting then Law & Order! But, leave it to these exec’s. who mess up everything that the viewer likes! I also say bring it back!
Really too bad that this show has been canceled. My husband and I really enjoyed it and it was different than all the doctor, crime, and reality shows that seem to fill up the airways these days. Bring it back!!!
Great cast, great storyline…what the hey, bring it back!
Life on Mars was doomed by its time slot. ABC also cancelled New Amsterdam, which was better than Life on Mars. Amazing how stupid these executive brains are. Give people a chance to discover these shows and the ratings will grow.