BBC Life on Mars almost had very different ending as creators' original plan is revealed

Life on Mars was beloved BBC show. (Image: BBC)

Life on Mars is a memorable hit series that many fans recall fondly.

John Simm stars as Sam Tyler, a Manchester police officer who, after a car accident, finds himself transported to 1973, working under DCI Gene Hunt, played by Philip Glenister.

The show aired from 2006 to 2007 and later led to the spin-off series Ashes to Ashes. It was created by Matthew Graham, Tony Jordan and Ashley Pharoah.

The final episode features Sam awakening from a coma and feeling disconnected from the modern world, ultimately choosing to leap from the police station roof to return to the past.

However, according to TV Tropes, the finale was initially intended to end with Sam’s jump, cutting to black, marking the end of the series.

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John Simm played Sam Tyler (Image: Getty)

Speaking on the show's dramatic ending, writer and co-creator Matthew Graham told the BBC in 2006: "We decided that Sam's journey should have a finite life span and a clear-cut ending and we feel that we have now reached that point after two series."

He added at the time: "Although it is sad that we have just finished filming Sam's final scenes, it's also been an incredibly exciting few days."

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After Simm's departure, creators Graham and Ashley Pharaoh developed the spin-off Ashes to Ashes, which ran for three seasons and concluded in May 2010.

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Simm, however, defended his reasons for quitting Life on Mars, despite having shared his wish to make another series of the beloved BBC show.

"Maybe I was a bit hasty with Life on Mars. I should've done another [series] I think. Maybe one more," he told The Digital Spy in 2011.

However, he also shared that his commitment to work meant he wasn't there for his family, which led to his decision to walk away from his role.

"I missed my family and I missed my home. My reasons [for not wanting to continue] were genuine.

"If they'd filmed it in London I would have done [a third series], and then, ironically enough, they did the spinoff in London!

"I saw Ashes To Ashes and I sort of thought we could've worked something out. Anyway, it's gone now. But I think we were supposed to make another series."

BBC Life on Mars almost had very different ending as creators' original plan is revealed

BBC Life on Mars almost had very different ending as creators' original plan is revealed

BBC Life on Mars almost had very different ending as creators' original plan is revealed

BBC Life on Mars almost had very different ending as creators' original plan is revealed

BBC Life on Mars almost had very different ending as creators' original plan is revealed