Right now you can watch Life on Mars in the UK on Sky Go — and it goes further with its ideas than most genre entertainment bothers to. A compact run that never overstays its welcome. A 6/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Jason O'Mara leads a cast that never lets the concept overwhelm the characters. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on Sky Go.

Life on Mars is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that focus is exactly what makes it work. What makes Life on Mars work is that the ideas never crowd out the people having them. After a car crash, police detective Sam Tyler mysteriously finds himself transported back to 1973 and still working as a detective. Jason O'Mara and Harvey Keitel lead a cast that never lets the concept overwhelm the characters. It was aired in 2008–2009. The rules of Life on Mars's world are consistent enough that the big swings never feel like cheating. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

For late-night viewing or a proper weekend binge, Life on Mars fits the bill. Fans of Continuum will recognise the sensibility here immediately. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch if your schedule allows. Jason O'Mara anchors it with a performance that makes the more abstract moments feel personal. If you have been burned by ambitious sci-fi before, this is the exception.

Life on Mars wrapped up in 2009, created by Matthew Graham, Tony Jordan and Ashley Pharoah — and 1 season is available to watch from start to finish. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just search the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.