• Network: BBC-1 , BBC
  • Series Premiere Date: Jan 9, 2006
  • Season #: 1 , 2
User Score
8.9 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 21 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 21
  3. Negative: 1 out of 21

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  1. AlexV.
    Mar 4, 2008
    9
    Excellent soundtrack!!!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. SebC.
    Sep 5, 2009
    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.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. AndrewR.
    Jan 1, 2008
    7
    Although the "gritty" police procedure goes a bit over the top sometimes, the 70's dress and music is spot on. The story is almost incidental in this well acted trip down memory lane.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  4. GloriaH.
    Jan 10, 2008
    10
    Excellent show. Hate to see it end.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  5. MrEddHorse
    Jan 5, 2008
    10
    B****Y Good. Intriguing throughout the show I I wanted to know how it ends and it ends very Satisfyingly..
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  6. MarkD
    Mar 24, 2008
    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.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  7. HarryB.
    Feb 27, 2008
    0
    Abysmal British tat.
    • 0 of 2 users said yes
  8. JOHnO
    Jul 13, 2008
    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***
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  9. MarkB.
    Dec 14, 2007
    9
    fantastic series and the final episode has a twist which you wouldn't expect. Well written and well acted.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  10. PaulK.
    Dec 16, 2007
    10
    Superb series. British comedy drama at its best.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  11. SobS.
    Dec 11, 2007
    8
    It's alright.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  12. Mancal
    Dec 15, 2007
    10
    Absolutely brilliant TV show killed off a season too early. Great acting from the whole cast and Gene Hunt is one of the most gloriously over the top, politically incorrect characters ever created. A total gem of a show, catch it America, you won't regret it
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  13. BartC.
    Dec 18, 2007
    10
    This show was at times surprisingly dark, and always left you wanting more. It's nice to have seen a show that didn't insist on being around forever. I dread the day that the American version hits the air. ...and I hope the spin-off(ashes to ashes) is just as good as this.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  14. ChrisA
    Dec 19, 2007
    9
    While the some episodes aren't as uniformly good as the first season, the finale more than makes up for it, tying up the story in a tidy, pitch-perfect conclusion.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
Metascore

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. 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.
  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. 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.