It looks like the US version of the BBC's hit sci-fi show Life on Mars is getting off to a good start.David E. Kelley has drafted in the directing talents of Thomas Schlamme to direct the pilot for his ABC version of the time-travelling cop drama. (If you haven't managed to catch any of the first and second series of Life on Mars, you should -- it's fantastic).
Schlamme previously worked on The West Wing and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip in addition to directing the pilot for Boston Public and some episodes of Ally McBeal and The Practice.
Rachelle LeFevre has already been cast in a female lead role in the remake, but it's not yet known who will take on the Sam Tyler role.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-31-2007 @ 4:11AM
David said...
Wow... the redone might not be terrible. Hopefully it's better than Studio 60...
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5-31-2007 @ 4:12AM
honey said...
I'm absolutely dreading this remake. The original should never be messed with. Life on Mars is one of the best dramas ever made and John Simm and Philip Glenister are irreplaceable.
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5-31-2007 @ 4:12AM
Scott said...
why can't they just strike a deal where the original brit series of Life on Mars are run as 'mini'-seasons or something over December/January when most shows go on hiatus? christ, this better not be a flop...
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5-31-2007 @ 4:12AM
mike m said...
Hey Martin, Just wondering about any more casting news you might have?
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5-31-2007 @ 4:13AM
Akbar Fazil said...
mike m, Rachelle LeFevre has been the only announced cast so far. Don't you think Martin would post more if he had it?
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5-31-2007 @ 4:14AM
Giza Breck said...
I'm with #2. This is an excellent drama, why not just buy it (or whatever they do) from the Beeb. I can't even imagine anyone else in those roles.
I am looking forward to the new episodes coming up.
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5-31-2007 @ 8:05AM
Cory said...
Wasn't this passed over?
Anyway the original is perfect the way it is. Same with Viva Blackpool. Why remake them!
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5-31-2007 @ 9:50AM
David said...
It wasn't picked up the fall season but it still has a chance once all the terrible shows ABC picked up fails.
And isn't the first series on BBC? BBC rips off people off with how much the rights would be.
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5-31-2007 @ 10:25AM
mike m said...
Akbar, Good point. I usually check digitalspy, but hadn't seen anything for awhile. Was hoping maybe martin had a nugget hidden away.
I personally am not looking forward to seeing this US creation. They are taking the hour long, commercial free, brilliant show we're all used to, and messing with it...there's so many ways this can go horribly wrong.
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5-31-2007 @ 3:35PM
Lucinda said...
Ya know I have to agree with some of the other posters, why mess with this drama? Its excellent in its original form. We can't duplicate it here. Anything, except "The Office" we have tried to re-do here from the UK has just failed. Anyone remember "Coupling", anyone? When will they just give it up? It won't work! And I agree John Simm and Philip Glenister are irreplaceable. ABC is supposed to re-do "Footballer's Wives" and I am waiting to see what a mess that will be. I will probably watch one or two episodes of LoM and then just cry because its so bad. Season Two is expected to show on BBCA in August or September...now thats a bright spot in the future.
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5-31-2007 @ 5:02PM
Adam Chance said...
The original is one of the greatest series ever!
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5-31-2007 @ 8:33PM
Scott said...
i commented on this last night and was a bit skeptical.
well, i still am skeptical, but Schlamme is top-notch and D.E.K is just the producer to try new things with this series. His penchant for the meta- and surreal came out in Boston Legal and, well, that's worked. I think the tone will be a bit more light hearted (read: american... kinda a no-brainer) and Kelley will always have to watch out that the characters don't just become tongue-in-cheek kitsch. With the right writers this could turn out mildly ok to good and that us fanboys need to take a step back.
after all, if it flops... who cares? it becomes a punchline and we all watch our copies of the original... where's the loss?
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6-01-2007 @ 4:53AM
Lucinda said...
Ya know I have to agree with some of the other posters, why mess with this drama? Its excellent in its original form. We can't duplicate it here. Anything, except "The Office" we have tried to re-do here from the UK has just failed. Anyone remember "Coupling", anyone? When will they just give it up? It won't work! And I agree John Simm and Philip Glenister are irreplaceable. ABC is supposed to re-do "Footballer's Wives" and I am waiting to see what a mess that will be. I will probably watch one or two episodes of LoM and then just cry because its so bad. Season Two is expected to show on BBCA in August or September...now thats a bright spot in the future.
Reply