For those of you who haven't heard, today the USA incarnation of
Life on Mars has been canceled by ABC (a decision I'm hugely upset about, but at least they are allowing the first season to finish out, so that the storyline may be concluded...may I suggest someone such as the Sci Fi Channel should try to pick up the series instead?).
At the same time, though, it's great to know that Acorn Media has secured the rights to both seasons (or "series", as the British say) of the original U.K. program that started it all. There the star was John Simm, recently seen doing a great job as "The Master" in
Doctor Who. Acorn has sent us a press release, below, for the
July 28th release of
Life on Mars - Series 1, with the second and final series being planned for release in 2010.
In the U.K., a "sequel" program titled
Ashes to Ashes is being done, starring Keeley Hawes (
Spooks/MI-5) in roughly the same position as Sam Tyler was in...and paired with DCI Gene Hunt (still played by Philip Glenister), DS Ray Carling (Dean Andrews) and DC Chris Skelton (Marshall Lancaster). The first series of the new show, set in 1981 this time, premieres this Saturday (March 7th) on BBC America. Hopefully that will be seen on DVD in the USA down the line. too. In the meantime, here's the press release for the 8-episode run that started it all; stay tuned for package art:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Life on Mars
Original, Award-Winning U.K. Series
Making North American Debut on DVD July 28, 2009
Acorn Media Group to distribute acclaimed British series
From Kudos Film & Television
"One of the greatest limited run television series I've ever seen"
- Stephen King for Entertainment Weekly
Silver Spring, MD; March 3, 2009 - Acorn Media Group partners with Kudos Film & Television for the highly-anticipated DVD release of
Life on Mars, Series 1, the original, BAFTA and International Emmy-winning U.K. series. The first series of the British science fiction and police drama will be released on July 28, 2009 as a 4-volume DVD boxed set (SRP: $59.99; 8 Episodes). Starring John Simm (
State of Play) and Philip Glenister, the hit U.K. series has been remade in the U.S. with Jason O'Mara and Harvey Keitel, and currently airs on ABC.
"
Life on Mars is among the greatest shows to ever come out of the UK, and Acorn Media is thrilled to be bringing it to DVD in North America," said Don Klees, Vice-President for Programming, Acorn Media U.S.
Daniel Isaacs, Joint Managing Director, Kudos Film & Television, added, "We're delighted to partner with Acorn Media to bring
Life on Mars, Series 1 and subsequent series of the show to DVD in the U.S. This season one box-set will include some added extras for our fans who we hope will enjoy it as much on DVD as they did when the show was first broadcast in the U.S."
An action-packed and innovative drama series,
Life on Mars follows Detective Chief Inspector Sam Tyler (John Simm) a driven and ambitious young detective for the Greater Manchester Police in 2006. After a near fatal car accident Sam wakes up, dazed and confused, in 1973, struggling to understand what's real. Has he gone back in time? Is he in a coma? Or has he simply gone insane? What follows is Sam's 21st century account of 70s life feeling like a fish out of water while investigating some of the hardest cases he has ever faced. Sam's new boss is hard-nosed DCI Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister,
Vincent), who gets results by trusting his gut instinct and, all too often, sheer brute force.
Life on Mars aired in the U.K. on BBC One for two series (2006-2007) and broadcast in the U.S. on BBC America. Acorn Media U.S. will release the second and final series on DVD in 2010.
Kudos Film & Television produces current hit U.K. dramas
Hustle and the award-winning
Spooks. Kudos also produced
The Amazing Mrs. Pritchard, which Acorn Media released on DVD in the U.S. in October 2007 and is currently being remade by Lifetime Television.
About Acorn Media Group
The Acorn Media Group, a leading independent global media company, provides distinctive home video products and other merchandise to consumers in North America, the U.K., Australia, and New Zealand. With a special focus on the best of British television programming, Acorn Media has exclusive distribution rights to hundreds of collectible titles on DVD. Its U.S. division will release nearly 100 DVDs in North America in 2009, including Cracker: The Complete Collection with Robbie Coltrane, John Steinbeck's East of Eden with Jane Seymour (DVD debut), Painted Lady with Helen Mirren, Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares (DVD debut, Original UK Series), Stephen Hawking and the Theory of Everything, 3 Mo' Divas, Murdoch Mysteries, and more from Midsomer Murders, Foyle's War, Agatha Christie's Poirot, Lynda La Plante's Trial & Retribution, Agatha Christie's Marple, and many more. www.acornmedia.com
About Kudos
Since its inception in 1992, Kudos has established itself as one of UK's most successful and original producer of popular award winning quality scripted television and film, consistently delivering hit returning series to broadcasters both in the UK and internationally.
Under the leadership of Stephen Garrett (Executive Chairman) Jane Featherstone (Creative Director), Simon Crawford Collins and Daniel Isaacs (Joint Managing Directors) it has built its reputation by repeatedly working with the best established and new talent around the world to create ground breaking and innovative programming. Its output is personified in such era-defining hits as Spooks (MI5), Hustle, and Life on Mars; drama series Ashes to Ashes; Law & Order: UK; comedy Plus One; and international miniseries, Burn Up. http://www.kudosproductions.co.uk/
