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Life on Mars 2006

“Is he mad, in a coma… or has Detective Sam Tyler really travelled back in time?”

★ 7.8/10 · 316 votes TV-14 CrimeDramaMysterySci-Fi & Fantasy 2 seasons · 16 eps Ended
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Quick answer

What is Life on Mars?

The television series "Life on Mars" is a mystery drama that revolves around a detective who becomes involved in a case. A detective chief inspector is investigating a serial killer when he is involved in an accident involving a speeding car.

Type
TV series
Year
2006
Status
Ended
Episodes
16
Runtime
60 minutes
First aired
Jan 9, 2006
Last aired
Apr 10, 2007
Original language
EN
Origin
GB
Networks
BBC One
Genres
Crime, Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Updated
Availability by region

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Estimate the schedule using 16 episodes and an average 60-minute runtime.

Trailer

Overview

The television series "Life on Mars" is a mystery drama that revolves around a detective who becomes involved in a case. A detective chief inspector is investigating a serial killer when he is involved in an accident involving a speeding car. As a result of this incident, he finds himself mysteriously transported back in time. Initially, he struggles to adjust to the unfamiliar surroundings and technology of the past. He must navigate the old-fashioned attitudes and customs of the time, all while trying to understand how he came to be in the past. The series explores themes of time travel, cultural differences, and personal identity as the detective tries to find a way back to his own time.

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Should you watch it?

“A modern detective wakes up in 1973 after a car accident and struggles to adapt.”

Reasons to watch
  • compelling time-travel premise
  • strong period atmosphere
Keep in mind
  • disorienting narrative shifts

Watch it if you enjoy police procedurals blended with science fiction mysteries.

The series is rated TV-14 and features themes of crime and drama.

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Cast

Episode guide

Season 1 · 8 episodes Open the complete Season 1 guide →
Season 2 · 8 episodes

Frequently asked questions

What is the premise of the show?

A detective from 2006 is transported back to 1973 after being hit by a car.

What genre is Life on Mars?

It is a crime, drama, mystery, and sci-fi series.

Does the protagonist know how he traveled in time?

He is trying to figure out how he became trapped in the past.

What challenges does the detective face?

He must deal with old-fashioned technology and the attitudes of 1973.

Is the show suitable for all ages?

The series is rated TV-14.