BBC Life on Mars
Created by Matthew Graham & Ashley Pharoah & Tony Jordan · 2006–2007 ·
Life on Mars (2006–2007) earns a 85% Celluloid Score — Recommended. Recommended overall. Created by Matthew Graham & Ashley Pharoah & Tony Jordan; stream on Prime Video.
Calculated from four inputs (Celluloid editorial, Metascore, IMDb and TMDB fan rating). Audience sentiment is shown separately. See how we calculate scores.
Four-input score + separate audience snapshot
Where to watch Life on Mars
Life on Mars is available on Prime Video — regional notes: Prime Video in the United States; Prime Video, ITVX in the United Kingdom. Catalog platform tag: BBC.
Where to watch Life on Mars by country
| Country | Streaming on |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Prime Video, ITVX |
| United States | Prime Video |
Subscription availability, refreshed from TMDB. Rental and purchase options may differ.
Streaming availability, artwork and title metadata courtesy of TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.
Is Life on Mars worth watching?
Yes — Life on Mars earns a 85% Celluloid Score. Recommended, created by Matthew Graham & Ashley Pharoah & Tony Jordan and streaming on Prime Video.
Celluloid Verdict
A modern detective wakes up in 1973 and has to police alongside Gene Hunt — a time-travel premise used as an argument about what policing is for.
Celluloid editorial verdict
What is Life on Mars about?
A detective chief inspector from 2006 is investigating a serial killer when he is knocked over by a speeding car. Waking up, he finds himself mysteriously transported back in time to 1973. Initially struggling to come to terms with his situation, he has to come to terms with the old-fashioned technology and attitude of the day, while figuring out how he came to be trapped in the past.
Watch the Trailer
Critic Reviews
Life on Mars Review (2006–2007): Is It Worth Watching?
★★★★☆
Matthew Graham & Ashley Pharoah & Tony Jordan's Life on Mars (2006–2007) runs 2 seasons, 16 episodes on BBC — a crime series from United Kingdom carrying a 85% Celluloid Score.
Essential television — one of the best in its genre.
Reader takes
No reader takes published yet — be the first helpful voice.
Other popular TV shows like Life on Mars
Same-genre and same-platform series, ranked by Celluloid Score.
BBC Inside No. 9
Comedy, Mystery
BBC Happy Valley
Crime, Drama
BBC Line of Duty
Crime, Drama
BBC Bodyguard
Crime, Drama
Most searched questions about Life on Mars
High-intent answers for seasons, streaming, cast, and whether Life on Mars is worth watching — built for search and AI overviews.
Yes — Life on Mars earns a 85% Celluloid Score (Recommended), from editorial 96%, Metascore 80/100, IMDb 8.4/10, TMDB fan 80%. Audience snapshot is separate (92%). A modern detective wakes up in 1973 and has to police alongside Gene Hunt — a time-travel premise used as an argument about what policing is for.
Life on Mars scores 85% from four inputs: Celluloid editorial 96/100, Metacritic 80/100, IMDb 8.4/10 and TMDB fan rating 80%. The separate audience snapshot is 92%. A modern detective wakes up in 1973 and has to police alongside Gene Hunt — a time-travel premise used as an argument about what policing is for. See the full breakdown on the Life on Mars series page.
No — Life on Mars is not on Netflix. It streams on Prime Video, and on Celluloid it is catalogued under BBC. Streaming rights rotate by country, so confirm in your region before subscribing.
Yes — Life on Mars is available on Prime Video in many regions (catalogued under BBC on Celluloid). Rights differ by country; confirm in the Prime Video app or the where-to-watch notes.
Life on Mars first aired in 2006 and ran through 2007 (2006–2007). Created by Matthew Graham & Ashley Pharoah & Tony Jordan; it streams on Prime Video today.
Life on Mars has 2 seasons across 16 episodes (2006–2007). Status: ended / complete.
At roughly 40–50 minutes per episode, Life on Mars’s 16 episodes take roughly 12 hours of runtime (plus credits). Binge pace depends on season breaks.
Life on Mars streams on Prime Video in supported regions. On Celluloid it is catalogued under BBC. Rights rotate — confirm in your country on the platform app.
Life on Mars stars John Simm, Philip Glenister, Liz White, Dean Andrews, Marshall Lancaster, and others. Created by Matthew Graham & Ashley Pharoah & Tony Jordan.
Life on Mars has 16 episodes across 2 seasons (2006–2007).
A detective chief inspector from 2006 is investigating a serial killer when he is knocked over by a speeding car. Waking up, he finds himself mysteriously transported back in time to 1973. Initially struggling to come to terms with his situation, he has to come to terms with the old-fashioned technology and attitude of the day, while figuring out how he came to be trapped in the past.
Life on Mars was created by Matthew Graham & Ashley Pharoah & Tony Jordan. It is a crime, drama, mystery series from United Kingdom, primarily in English.