BBC drama Life on Mars set for Chinese remake
Details
Rebecca Hawkes
| 19 February 2019

A Mandarin adaptation of Kudos’ hit TV drama Life on Mars is to be made as part of a collaboration between BBC Studios and Beijing-based Phoenix Entertainment Group.

The deal marks the first partnership between BBC Studios and Phoenix, which produces high quality dramas for subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) platforms.

Phoenix will produce 24 episodes of Life on Mars, which originally aired on BBC One in the UK in 2006. The Chinese version will be set in Beijing in the 1990s, a time of economic growth and cultural prosperity. The decade saw the gradual opening of China to the rest of the world, and the series will reflect this era of change, conflict and challenges.

Life on Mars is centred around a present day detective transported mysteriously back in time, after a near-fatal accident. The detective was played by John Simm in the UK, teaming up with Philip Glenister as a cop from the past.

“I am delighted that our first partnership with Phoenix Entertainment Group is Life on Mars which ranks as one of the best dramas to come out of the UK and is a great example of the breadth and wealth of our scripted formats catalogue,” said David Weiland, EVP Asia, BBC Studios. “We have a huge range of high quality scripted titles from Doctor Foster and Luther to Thirteen and In The Club, shows that would captivate Chinese audiences. I look forward to viewers enjoying this local version of Life on Mars as they go back 30 years in time.”

Bihai Wu, vice president & general manager, Phoenix Entertainment Group said: “Following the huge success of our hit drama, Day and Night, developed and produced by Phoenix Entertainment Group for Youku, we have been carefully considering other shows that could meet the criteria of high quality and consistency with our slate and brand. Life on Mars drew our interest because of its originality and superb story telling.”

BBC Studios has previously licensed the format to Russia, Spain, Czech Republic and South Korea.

Kelvin Yau, SVP and GM Greater China, BBC Studios said: “Remaking Life on Mars for the region is a very exciting prospect. Drama local adaptation is a growing business in North Asia, particularly in China where it claims 48% of all format sales, and is a key focus for BBC Studios as we continue to bring the best of British TV to Chinese audiences.”