If you loved
Life on Mars
Matthew Graham · Series · 2006
You loved Life on Mars because it captures the jarring, surreal experience of being a modern mind trapped within a bygone era.
Start with the source
Adaptation
Ashes to Ashes
Ashley Pharoah · Series · 2008
Books on the same thread
Jack Reacher
Lee Child, Andrew Child · Book · 1997
Much like the protagonist of Life on Mars, Reacher navigates the world as an outsider with a rigid moral code that clashes with the environments he transiently occupies.
Harry Bosch
Michael Connelly · Book · 1992
Harry Bosch shares the same gritty, internal struggle found in Life on Mars, as his obsession with justice forces him to confront the dark remnants of his own history.
The Rage: A Game of Survival
Natica Brown · Book · 2017
If the disorientation of Life on Mars resonated with you, this story of being thrust into a dangerous, unfamiliar reality will mirror that same intense feeling of sudden displacement.
One Good Turn
Kate Atkinson · Book · 2007
This narrative captures the same focus on how a single, violent incident ripples through time and space, echoing the investigative mystery that defined the premise of Life on Mars.
Films on the same thread
The Butterfly Effect
Eric Bress · Film · 2004
This film explores the heavy consequences of altering the past, mirroring the central anxiety in Life on Mars regarding whether one can truly change the trajectory of their own timeline.
Source Code
Duncan Jones · Film · 2011
The experience of waking up in a different life to solve a crime matches the core hook of Life on Mars, emphasizing the confusion of inhabiting an unexpected reality.
Frequency
Gregory Hoblit · Film · 2000
This story mirrors the emotional stakes of Life on Mars by focusing on the tension between attempting to fix the past and the unintended chaos that such actions inevitably invite.
Twelve Monkeys
Terry Gilliam · Film · 1995
Like Life on Mars, this film centers on a man sent to a past he does not belong to, struggling to maintain his sanity while investigating a critical, historical mystery.
Podcasts on the same thread
CounterClock
Audiochuck · Podcast · 2025
This podcast mirrors the investigative drive of Life on Mars, proving that digging into the past is the only way to uncover the truth behind a long-forgotten, cold case.
Dan Carlin's Hardcore History
Dan Carlin · Podcast · 2025
The perspective of looking at history through an outsider's lens echoes the Martian-like detachment seen in Life on Mars, challenging your assumptions about how the past really functioned.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Ashes to Ashes related to Life on Mars?
Yes, Ashes to Ashes is the direct successor to Life on Mars. Both shows were created by Matthew Graham and explore the concept of a modern-day investigator suddenly finding themselves transported to a different era, forcing them to adapt to the technology and attitudes of that specific time period.
What order should I watch Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes?
You should watch Life on Mars first, as it establishes the premise of the detective being transported back in time. After completing the series, you can move on to Ashes to Ashes, which continues the thematic exploration of time travel and investigation established in the original 2006 production.
How does the premise of Life on Mars begin?
Life on Mars begins with a detective chief inspector from 2006 who is struck by a speeding car while investigating a serial killer. Upon waking up, he discovers he has been mysteriously transported back to 1973 and must navigate the challenges of that era while seeking a way home.
Is Life on Mars based on a specific concept?
Life on Mars is a 2006 television series created by Matthew Graham. It centers on the struggle of a modern detective adjusting to the old-fashioned technology and societal attitudes of 1973 after a traumatic accident leaves him trapped in the past while he tries to understand his situation.