BBC - Life on Mars ( Crime , Drama , Mystery) Synopsis (series 1, episode 1): After a road accident in 2006, DCI Sam Tyler awakens to find himself in 1973. Apparently a DI and assigned to work under rough-around-the-edges DCI Gene Hunt , Tyler follows a series of murders which have been committed with the same effect in both 2006 and 1973. The clash of cultures between Tyler and others relates mainly to the lack of importance placed on forensic science in 1973. Annie Cartwright stops Sam jumping off the top of a building after he convinces himself that suicide will take him back to 2006. Production of Life on Mars: The television programme was first broadcast on BBC One on Monday nights at 9:00pm. Life on Mars was a ratings success. The first series achieved an average audience figure of 6.8 million viewers . V iewing figures for the second series were initially low, with the first epis...