Exclusive: October Road Cutie Lands on Mars

Jonathan Murphy by John Shearer/ WireImage.com

The tinkering over at ABC's port of the Brit hit Life on Mars continues.

Recently, it was announced that The Sopranos' Michael Imperioli was coming on board as a trustworthy colleague of Jason O'Mara's transplanted-in-time lawman. Now, I have learned exclusively, the trio of exec producers (Josh Applebaum, Andre Nemec and Scott Rosenberg) who claimed the Life on Mars reins from David E. Kelley — and each of whom hail from October Road — have tapped a cast member of that ABC serial to join their new venture.

Jonathan Murphy, aka OR's Ronnie, will play Detective Chris Skelton, a jittery young arrival to the department. (The role was filled by Marshall Lancaster on the BBC original.)

Thus far, the female lead for ABC's Life on Mars has yet to be cast. — Matt Mitovich

Related:
• October Road Bosses to Wrap Up "Epic Love" Story

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Posted by

Matt Webb Mitovich

Jul 15, 2008 9:42 PM

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I have not seen the original LOM, but I'd like to see Amy Acker back on a series. We know she can play sweet & innocent (Fred, Angel), as well as tough and arrogant (Illyria, God-King of the Primordium, also on Angel), as well as murderous (Kelly Peyton, Alias).
That should be versatile enough!

There are a few other Angel alums that should be considered depending on what they're looking for. Stephanie Romanov, if they want a sophisticate; Elisabeth Rohm, if they can tear her away from her new daughter Easton, as a detective/lawyer type; and Alexa Davalos, who is just about as versatile as Acker but not so delicate looking.

Posted by Imzadi

Jul 16, 2008 7:55 AM

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Ugh......the more I see about the American version, the more I become absolutely certain that it'll bomb. It might be because Chris was my third favorite character, but I just don't see this guy in the role. Then again, I hate all of the casting except Colm Meaney...I can stand him.

As for Amy Acker, I am pretty sure that she's busy with "Dollhouse". As for the other women of "Angel", none of them really fit the role of Annie (who I assume is the female role referred to..I'd call her the female lead).

Posted by iheartbusterk

Jul 16, 2008 9:37 AM

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I have a friend in London and heard how the "Mars" series was tied up there. If the US version is the same, I'm not interested. It was LAME!
Posted by waya Jul 16, 2008 9:49 AM Report Abuse

The finale to the original Life on Mars was nervy and original, not lame. I know ABC will water this series down and make it dull, as this casting seems to suggest.
Posted by nicolars Jul 16, 2008 11:04 AM Report Abuse

I'm so glad for Jonathan. I loved him on October Road and I wish him good luck on the new show.
Posted by allison1167 Jul 16, 2008 1:18 PM Report Abuse

The original was great. The British version had some dark humor but was rather bleak, which I don't see them retaining for the American version. I also can't imagine they will be able to recreate the chemistry between Sam and his boss.
Posted by pcc48 Jul 16, 2008 1:34 PM Report Abuse

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