• Network: BBC-1 , BBC
  • Series Premiere Date: Jan 9, 2006
  • Season #: 1 , 2
Metascore
79 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. 88
    The British Mars produced only 16 episodes, and when the last of this season's final eight is over, you will have all the answers you need. What's more, they're satisfying and well worth the relatively short amount of time expended.
  2. Cop show, fantasy, mystery, comedy, romance, puzzle -- there are a lot of ways to approach "Life on Mars," which begins its second and final season tonight on BBC America, and they all pay off.
  3. Life on Mars is a smarter, gloomier "Journeyman."
  4. Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    80
    Mars is an entertaining collision of bare-knuckled police-procedural realism and mind-blowing surrealism.
  5. 80
    Life on Mars is colorful and fun and well-written.
  6. If anything, season 2--also just eight hours long--is even better as Tyler's world in 1973 becomes even more complicated.
  7. It's helpful to remember that Life on Mars is less about said realism and more about Sam's twisted journey. Enjoying that retro-cool ride is the essence of the series.
  8. This isn't much different from Season 1--confusion, frustration, bell-bottoms--but it's still a good, uneasy time. [14 Dec 2007, p.62]
  9. 70
    Simm is also compelling (as he was in a couple of standout "Doctor Who" episodes earlier this year), though his performance is sometimes pitched to a level of intensity that the occasionally formulaic storytelling doesn't quite match.
User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 21 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 14
  3. Negative: 1 out of 14
  1. SebC.
    10
    Outstanding, outstanding series. Well written, excellent characters, fantastic music and depiction of the 70s. It was a bit difficult to get into at first, but then loved every single episode. Highly recommendable. Full Review »
  2. JOHnO
    10
    I'd give it an eleven. There is one weird issue i have with season two which has to do with the fact that in the opener ***SPOILERS***Sam actually changes history by putting the casino guy in the looney bin. This "power" is not followed through the rest of the season.***END SPOILERS*** Full Review »
  3. MarkD
    10
    Ball achingly funny, edge of your seat suspense, subtle, original and full of surprises. Need is go on? Simply one of the best things the BBC has done in many years. Full Review »