Where to watch
Each link opens a search on that service. Checked 13 October 2026.
Streaming data from JustWatch
Life on Mars
2006–2007
· TV Show
· 52 min episodes
· 2 seasons
A
MEANRANK
85/100
Every rating
68–100
out of 100
Split
Lowest is Criticker on 68, highest is Rotten Tomatoes critics on 100.
See the most agreed on TV shows →After a near-fatal car accident, smart, savvy, sharp-suited detective Sam is mysteriously transported back to 1973. Confused by his new surroundings, Sam tries to return to the present, but the police force of long ago needs his help.
Details
- Created by
- Ashley Pharoah, Matthew Graham, Tony Jordan
- Studio
- BBC, Red Planet Pictures
- Released
- 9 January 2006
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Language
- English
- Episode length
- 52 min
- Rated
- TV-14
- Episodes
- 16 across 2 seasons
- Awards
- 8 wins, 25 nominations
This title elsewhere
Cast
Full cast (20) →
Awards & nominations
See all 33 →2 major awards won · 8 wins from 33 nominations across 15 ceremonies
| BAFTA Television Awards 2007 | Pioneer Award | Life on Mars | Winner |
| International Emmy Awards 2006 | Best Drama Series | Life on Mars | Winner |
| BAFTA Television Awards 2007 | Best Drama Series | Life on Mars | Nominee |
| BAFTA Television Awards 2007 | Best Actor | John Simm | Nominee |
| BAFTA Television Craft Awards 2007 | Best Sound – Fiction/Entertainment | Life on Mars Team | Nominee |
| BAFTA Television Craft Awards 2007 | Best Writer | Matthew Graham for Episode 1 | Nominee |
| BAFTA Television Craft Awards 2007 | Best Director | Bharat Nalluri for Episode 1 | Nominee |
| BAFTA Television Craft Awards 2007 | Best Editing : Fiction/Entertainment | Barney Pilling | Nominee |
Awards from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA.
More like this
Beyond the numbers
All lists →
29 October 2026
Five great TV scores—and the scenes that explain why
Twin Peaks, Succession, Game of Thrones, Westworld and Stranger Things, judged for what their original music does inside the drama.
8 October 2026
TV's best male friendships, ranked: affection, loyalty and their limits
Ten pairs whose relationships change the work, the jokes and the choices their shows make possible.
8 October 2026
Batman movies ranked: the films behind the scores
Twelve theatrical films, from Adam West to Robert Pattinson, and the different claims they make for the mask.
7 October 2026
Why do films and TV shows keep taking God’s name in vain?
A Christian viewer’s objection, the Marvel language notes and the difference between portraying doubt and treating a name as disposable.
30 September 2026
The most popular film genres? What the ratings actually show
Drama leads the total, but volume, a typical film’s attention and average score tell different stories.
29 September 2026
Films rated 4.7 on Google: a 59-film archive
A historical selection, with a closer look at spectacle, sequels and what a high audience average leaves out.
Just released
See all →
Coming soon
Trailer — Life on Mars
×Full cast — Life on Mars
×
33 awards — Life on Mars
×
BAFTA Television Awards
3 nominations, 1 won
| Pioneer Award | Life on Mars | Winner |
| Best Actor | John Simm | Nominee |
| Best Drama Series | Life on Mars | Nominee |
International Emmy Awards
1 nomination, 1 won
| Best Drama Series | Life on Mars | Winner |
BAFTA Television Craft Awards
5 nominations
| Best Director | Bharat Nalluri for Episode 1 | Nominee |
| Best Editing : Fiction/Entertainment | Barney Pilling | Nominee |
| Best Production Design | Bryan Sykes | Nominee |
| Best Sound – Fiction/Entertainment | Life on Mars Team | Nominee |
| Best Writer | Matthew Graham for Episode 1 | Nominee |
Broadcasting Press Guild Awards
4 nominations, 2 won
| Best Drama Series | Life on Mars | Winner |
| Writer's Award | Matthew Graham, Tony Jordan, Ashley Pharoah | Winner |
| Best Actor in a Drama Series | Philip Glenister | Nominee |
| Best Actor in a Drama Series | John Simm | Nominee |
Royal Television Society Craft & Design Awards
2 nominations, 1 won
| Visual Effects – Picture Enhancement | Jet Omoshebi, Pepper Post Production | Winner |
| Production Design – Drama | Matt Gant, Brian Sykes | Nominee |
Banff Television Festival
1 nomination, 1 won
| Continuing Series | Life on Mars | Winner |
Broadcast Magazine Awards
1 nomination, 1 won
| Best New Programme | Life on Mars | Winner |
Edgar Allan Poe Award
1 nomination, 1 won
| Best Television Episode Screenplay | Matthew Graham for Episode 1 | Winner |
Monte-Carlo Television Festival
6 nominations
| Best Drama Series | Life on Mars | Nominee |
| Best Outstanding Actor – Drama Series | Philip Glenister | Nominee |
| Best Outstanding Actor – Drama Series | John Simm | Nominee |
| Best Outstanding Actor – Drama Series | Dean Andrews | Nominee |
| Best Outstanding Actor – Drama Series | Marshall Lancaster | Nominee |
| Best Outstanding Actress – Drama Series | Liz White | Nominee |
TV Quick and Choice Awards
3 nominations
| Best Actor | Philip Glenister | Nominee |
| Best Loved Drama | Life on Mars | Nominee |
| Best New Drama | Life on Mars | Nominee |
Royal Television Society Awards
2 nominations
| Best Actor – Male | Philip Glenister | Nominee |
| Best Drama Series | Life on Mars | Nominee |
National Television Awards
1 nomination
| Most Popular Drama Series | Life on Mars | Nominee |
SFX Awards
1 nomination
| Best TV Show | Life on Mars | Nominee |
Saturn Awards
1 nomination
| Best Television Presentation | Life on Mars | Nominee |
Writers' Guild of Great Britain Awards
1 nomination
| Best Soap/Series (TV) | Life on Mars | Nominee |