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Axed: Life on Mars

Bad news for Channel TEN as US network ABC decides there isn't enough life on Mars to warrant a second series.

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life-mars-abc40US network ABC has announced it will not be ordering any additional episodes of Life on Mars beyond its 17 episodes.

That’s bad news for Channel TEN, which had been enjoying good word of mouth for the US adaptation, screening on Thursday nights.

The only good news is the network has given producers enough notice to allow a definitive ending to the series. Production is expected to continue for at least a few more weeks, with the finale starring Jason O’Mara expected to air in the US around early April.

“We felt it was the right thing to do for the producers and the fans and creatively,” ABC Entertainment Group President Steve McPherson told TelevisionWeek.

This effectively means the US series will wind up comparative with the British original which lasted for 16 episodes. Some US adaptations have lived beyond their UK prototypes including The Office and Queer As Folk.

McPherson admitted the ratings for Mars were the main reason behind the decision to convert the show from a regular series into, in essence, a close-ended “event.”

He has no regrets with how Mars is going out, however.

“I look at it creatively, and I couldn’t be prouder,” he said.

The spin-off series Ashes to Ashes is expected to air in Australia at some point, on the ABC.

Source: Television Week

33 Responses

  1. Anyone got any idea what’s going on with the programming of this show??
    I’ve been watching it every week, but last week it wasn’t on (despite all the TV guides saying it was), and there was no sign of it again this week!

  2. Come on Aussie TVyou can do it, a Aussie version would rock.

    Ther are a lot of great young talent out there to play the rolls.

    Look at all the fuss made with Underbelly ” A Tale Of Two City ” all of the
    actors dressed in 70’s & 80’s get up.

    Bring it on

  4. Another one bites the dust. All good things must come to an end…but so soon. And it didn’t take long for 10 to juggle the schedule; next episode 10:30 Friday – absolutely no respect for their viewers.

  5. Disgraced i am to hear only through online searching that this show loM is not getting any more seasons. So much for what people like too watch. if it doesn`t rate kill it, seems to be the only way tv exec`s no how too do things.

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