Michael Imperioli joins Life on Mars cast
Former Sopranos mobster Michael Imperioli is returning to television as a police detective. The actor has been cast in ABC’s Life on Mars, an American adaptation of the BBC series. Imperioli landed the role of Detective Ray Carling, one of the lead character’s colleagues. Ray is described as “a rough, tough sexist who has never heard of the phrase ’politically correct’.”
This cast addition is the latest of many changes made to the drama. David E. Kelley is out as the Life on Mars showrunner, and October Road’s Josh Applebaum, Andre Nemec, and Scott Rosenberg have replaced him. Producers also decided to move the show’s production and fictional setting from Los Angeles to New York City.
There has been a lot of gossip about Life on Mars, and all before a single episode has aired. It’s hard to know what to expect in light of so many cast and and production changes. Michael Imperioli seems like a good fit for the role of Ray Carling, though. He played a detective a few years back on six episodes of Law & Order. Plus, I’m always happy to see former cast members of The Sopranos back on TV.
Is Life on Mars a good choice for Michael Imperioli, or is the show too troubled to last?