Former Sopranos mobster Michael Imperioli is returning to television as a police detective. The actor has been cast in ABC's Life on Mars, an American adaptation of the BBC series. Imperioli landed the role of Detective Ray Carling, one of the lead character's colleagues. Ray is described as "a rough, tough sexist who has never heard of the phrase 'politically correct'."This cast addition is the latest of many changes made to the drama. David E. Kelley is out as the Life on Mars showrunner, and October Road's Josh Applebaum, Andre Nemec, and Scott Rosenberg have replaced him. Producers also decided to move the show's production and fictional setting from Los Angeles to New York City.
There has been a lot of gossip about Life on Mars, and all before a single episode has aired. It's hard to know what to expect in light of so many cast and and production changes. Michael Imperioli seems like a good fit for the role of Ray Carling, though. He played a detective a few years back on six episodes of Law & Order. Plus, I'm always happy to see former cast members of The Sopranos back on TV.
Is Life on Mars a good choice for Michael Imperioli, or is the show too troubled to last?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-03-2008 @ 12:53PM
Carissa said...
I don't know if its too troubled to last or not, but I do know the character description is ridiculous. "a rough, tough sexist who has never heard of the phrase 'politically correct'." Isn't this set in the 70s? Political correctness didn't even have the same meaning in the 70s that it does now.
That said, I'll tune in just because it's in the 70s. LOL I guess it will either work out or not. Hopefully it won't work out like Moonlight did. Rigorous fans who are again duped into loving a show that is canceled too soon.
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7-03-2008 @ 2:26PM
Vin said...
I think this will be good for the show. Michael Imperioli is a very good actor and I'm sure he will be one of the highlights of the new series.
I still do not believe they should be remaking such a great show but I hope they keep it true to the original vision. David E. Kelley would have been great as the head writer since I'm a little weary of the new writers who brought us "October Road" in the past.
It has a few points in its favor: 1) its after Grey's Anatomy this fall so there will be some exposure and 2) I give it credit for relocating to NYC, there are just too many shows today that are set in L.A.
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