Who directed Life on Mars?

Ever Wonder Who Was Calling the Shots on Life on Mars? Let’s Find Out!

Life on Mars. Just the name conjures up images of flares, Ford Cortinas, and the smoky atmosphere of a 1970s police station, right? That brilliant BBC show, which ran from 2006 to 2007, had us all hooked. I mean, who wasn’t trying to figure out if DCI Sam Tyler had actually time-traveled or if it was all in his head? The genius of the show was how it blended sci-fi with a gritty police drama, all wrapped up in a killer 70s vibe ).

Of course, John Simm and Philip Glenister were absolutely iconic as Sam Tyler and Gene Hunt – you couldn’t imagine anyone else in those roles ). But, like any great TV show, there were a whole bunch of talented people working behind the scenes to make the magic happen. And that includes the directors!

Now, here’s a cool fact: Life on Mars wasn’t the work of just one director. Nope, they used a team of them across the two series . Think of it like a band, with different musicians bringing their own style to the music. This approach kept things fresh and visually interesting, while still making sure the story felt consistent .

So, who were these directorial masterminds? Let’s take a look:

• S.J. Clarkson: This name pops up the most! Clarkson directed a whopping six episodes of Life on Mars . Talk about dedication!
• Bharat Nalluri: Nalluri directed two episodes, and get this – he actually won a BAFTA for Best Director in 2007! Pretty impressive, huh?
• John Alexander, John McKay, Andrew Gunn, and Richard Clark: Each of these guys directed two episodes as well .

Each director definitely brought something unique to the table, which is what made the show so special. Bharat Nalluri’s BAFTA win proves that his direction really resonated with people . And it’s interesting to note that Noreen Kershaw, who played WPC Phyliss Dobbs, later became a director herself! She’s directed episodes of Coronation Street, Shameless, and Call the Midwife. Talk about a career change!

Ultimately, Life on Mars was a team effort. The directors, along with the writers (Matthew Graham, Tony Jordan, and Ashley Pharoah), created something truly special . They took a crazy idea – a modern-day cop waking up in the 70s – and turned it into a TV show that people are still talking about today . And that, my friends, is the mark of a truly great show .