O’Mara, “Marlowe,” and “Mars”

This news puts an end to talk about U.S. network ABC-TV resurrecting fictional private eye Philip Marlowe in a new series. Irish actor Jason O’Mara, who had been slated to portray Raymond Chandler’s gumshoe on the show, has instead won the lead role in an American adaptation of the popular British series Life on Mars. As Bish’s Beat reports:

Life on Mars centers on Sam Tyler, a present-day detective who, following a serious car accident, wakes up to find himself in the early 1970s. He’s not sure if he’s actually gone back in time, is in a coma or just crazy, but in working cases in the earlier time period he gets clues to his present-day state. The two seasons of the British series aired recently on BBC America. ABC’s pilot, written by [David E.] Kelley and directed by Thomas Schlamme (Studio 60, The West Wing) was originally considered for the fall. After having difficulty finding someone to play Tyler, however, the producers and ABC pushed the project to midseason. It’s now scheduled to go into production in August for possible midseason consideration. Rachelle Lefevre (What About Brian), who was initially cast as the only female detective in the 1970s department, remains attached to the show.

But here’s the excerpt that may disappoint Marlowe fans:

O’Mara became available for Life on Mars after ABC passed on Marlowe, a pilot updating Raymond Chandler’s iconic detective, this spring. He’s also had a recurring role on ABC’s Men in Trees and starred in the short-lived In Justice during the 2005-06 season. His credits also include The Agency and Band of Brothers.

This news was evidently reported earlier, but I missed it, and I suspect others did, too.

Admittedly, I didn’t have high hopes for ABC’s use of Philip Marlowe, especially since it was planning to “update” the character. But I’d still like to see the Marlowe pilot. Call me a masochist.

READ MORE: “Old Is New Again,” by Lee Goldberg (A Writer’s Life).