Tough Guy Actor Keitel to Explore Life on Mars

By KIRSTY WILKIE

MOVIE tough guy Harvey Keitel has taken the role of Detective Gene Hunt in the upcoming US remake of Life On Mars.

Hunt’s character will remain a tough-talking, iron-fisted head of department, though the show is being given a strong New York City feel and a plot shake-up.

Brooklyn-born Keitel – nominated for an Oscar for his role in the 1991 hit Bugsy – is taking over the role from Colm Meaney after the setting was moved from Los Angeles.

Hunt – played by Philip Glenister in the BBC original and spinoff Ashes To Ashes – will be joined by Jason O’Mara as lead character Sam Tyler. This will be Reservoir Dogs actor Keitel’s first TV series role.

The BAFTA and Emmy-winning Life on Mars police drama was first broadcast on BBC One between January 2006 and April 2007. A sequel to the series, Ashes to Ashes, began transmission on BBC One in February 2008.

Originally published by KIRSTY WILKIE newseditor@belfasttelegraph.co.uk.

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