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Trailer

Life on Mars

2006 – 2007Show2 seasons16 episodesTV-14

CrimeDrama
87
ExcellentGoodWatch score
IMDb8.3Metacritic798.3Rotten Tomatoes100%98%

A deeply unsettling, nostalgic crime series about history and crime, with standout direction and performances.

Good for friends night · binge-friendly · thought-provoking

Skip it if you want to half-watch while scrolling

Where to watch

Fingerprint

Not for warmth, comfort or laughs.

Shows with

Episodes

2 seasons · 16 episodes · best: S2E8 "Episode 16" 8.9

Episodes

8.1
8.2

Story

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

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.

Feels like

  • Temporal Mystery Thriller
  • Existential Police Procedural
  • Nostalgic 1970s Atmosphere
  • Psychological Displacement
  • Ambiguous Narrative Structure
  • Iconic Soundtrack Integration
  • Character-Driven Drama
  • Cultural Satire of Policing
  • Uncanny Valley of Time
  • High-Stakes Intellectual Puzzle

Cast

24 of 70 · most episodes first

Crew

Directors
SJ Clarkson, John Alexander, Andrew Gunn
Written by
Matthew Graham, Chris Chibnall, Ashley Pharoah
Produced by
Cameron Roach

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

January 9, 2006 · April 10, 2007 · Ended

First aired
January 9, 2006
Last aired
April 10, 2007
Status
Ended
Length
2 seasons · 16 episodes
Age rating
TV-14
Content
Violence, Strong Language, Disturbing Imagery
Genres
Crime, Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Original language
English
Made in
United Kingdom
Available in
12 countries

Tropes

Smoking Hot Fight, Noble Bigot with a Badge, Call-Back +9

  • Smoking Hot Fight
  • Noble Bigot with a Badge
  • Call-Back
  • Suicide Is Painless
  • Shout-Out
  • Nice Job Breaking It, Hero!
  • Once More, with Volume!
  • I Choose to Stay
  • The Plan
  • Chained to a Bed
  • Batman Gambit
  • Internal Affairs

12 of 142 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

6 questions, like "Where can I stream Life on Mars?"

Questions about Life on Mars

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Is Life on Mars worth watching?

87
ExcellentGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 87 (IMDb 8.3, Rotten Tomatoes 100%, and Metacritic 79).

Is Life on Mars okay for kids?

TV-14ViolenceStrong languageDisturbing imagery

Better for older viewers: it's rated TV-14 in the United States for violence, strong language, and disturbing imagery, and the viewing guide lists it for adults.

How long does it take to watch Life on Mars?

16 h

About 16 hours: 16 episodes in 2 seasons of about 60 minutes each, aired from 2006 to 2007.

Can I half-watch Life on Mars?

Easy watchDemanding

No, it needs your attention: the title analysis rates it 9 of 10 for ambiguity and 8 for complexity.

What tropes does Life on Mars use?

Smoking Hot FightNoble Bigot with a BadgeCall-BackSuicide Is PainlessShout-OutNice Job Breaking It, Hero!Once More, with Volume!I Choose to StayThe PlanChained to a BedBatman GambitInternal Affairsand 130 more

TV Tropes lists 142 tropes for it, including Smoking Hot Fight, Noble Bigot with a Badge, and Call-Back.