Category Archives: Life On Mars

THE brilliance of Life On Mars does not diminish.
Re-watching old episodes is a reminder of just how good the series was.
And of John Simm’s superb performance as Sam Tyler.
Much of the focus since the series ended has fallen on Gene Hunt, played by Philip Glenister.
That continues in The Real Life On Mars, a new documentary on BBC4 this Monday night…
Continue reading →

THERE are many things that keep me awake at night.
The heat, the cold, taxis dropping people off at 4am after a night out, taxis picking people up at 4.05am for the airport.
Last night – or was that this morning? – it was this trailer for the American version of Life On Mars…
Note: Video clip plus sound within.
Continue reading →

GENE Hunt really will be ‘avin ‘oops after a new TV deal with Italy.
BBC Worldwide has sold both series of Life On Mars to Italian state broadcaster Rai Due.
So it’s spaghetti hoops all round for Manchester police team Gene, Sam, Ray, Chris and Annie.
Continue reading →

IF you are a fan of Sam, Gene and co, there is only one book you need for Christmas.
Life On Mars: The Official Companion Volume Two.
It’s as essential as a bacon bap while reversing a Cortina at speed…
Continue reading →

THERE are moments in life when you know you are very lucky to be in the right place at the right time.
Elling at The Bush Theatre in west London was one of those moments last night.
Downstairs, TV coverage of Liverpool’s penalty shoot-out victory over Chelsea, to reach the Champions’ League Final, gripped a packed bar.
Upstairs, drama of a different kind entranced a sold out fringe theatre of 80 ticket holders.
Continue reading →

THE debate about the final episode of Life On Mars has certainly thrown up some interesting viewpoints.
Some fans continue to ask questions at The Railway Arms.
Named after Manchester CID’s 1973 local, it’s a brilliant fan site with some of the most passionate and intelligent comments to be found on the web.
It also demonstrates how a TV drama can spark creativity, humour, fun, serious debate, empathy and friendship via the world wide inter-web.
Continue reading →

IT’S out today with some great extras for fans.
Many will head straight for disc 4 and behind the scenes film: The End of Life on Mars.
Continue reading →

“YOU can never be sure how it’s going to go down,” said Life On Mars co-creator Matthew Graham.
“You always know that with this show, there’s such a high level of expectation as to what it should be.
Everyone has their own theories.”
We were talking just a few days before Tuesday night’s BBC1 screening of the last ever episode.
As it goes, the final 60 minutes has provoked a reaction, I suspect, beyond even the wildest dreams of Matthew and the rest of the TV team.
Continue reading →

WAS he mad, in a coma, back in time, or all three?
Millions of viewers saw the stunning finale to Life On Mars last night at the end of a two year TV rollercoaster ride.
In an exclusive first interview, lead writer and co-creator Matthew Graham spoke to me about both the conclusion of the BBC1 drama and the new spin-off series Ashes To Ashes.
And he revealed that – at its heart – Life On Mars was all about Sam In Wonderland.
Continue reading →

THE final credits rolled a few minutes ago on the last ever episode of Life On Mars.
Now here’s the news that has had to be held back to avoid spoiling the end of the best British TV drama of the 21st century – so far.
It’s also time to disclose the secrets of the Life On Mars universe, and a conclusion which has earned itself a place in television history.
Continue reading →