"October" has always been good to Jonathan Murphy. The actor got his big break on the now-defunct October Road, and his latest TV foray, Life on Mars (Thursdays at 10 pm/ET, ABC), debuted Oct. 9 and showed, well, life. Murphy plays clean-cut newbie Det. Chris Skelton on the decade-warping BBC remake and took time out of the busy New York '70s streets to chat with TVGuide.com about the show forging its own path, how he prepared for the role and why Luke Perry better watch out. Oh, and for all you Roadies out there, get an update on the series' mini-epilogue.
TVGuide.com: The show is based on a British series. How would you describe it to American viewers?
Jonathan Murphy: I would describe it as ...
See Murphy's answer and full interview after the jump.
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The tinkering over at ABC's port of the Brit hit Life on Mars continues.Recently, it was announced that The Sopranos' Michael Imperioli was coming on board as a trustworthy colleague of Jason O'Mara's transplanted-in-time lawman. Now, I have learned exclusively, the trio of exec producers (Josh Applebaum, Andre Nemec and Scott Rosenberg) who claimed the Life on Mars reins from David E. Kelley — and each of whom hail from October Road — have tapped a cast member of that ABC serial to join their new venture. Jonathan Murphy, aka OR's Ronnie, will play Detective Chris Skelton, a jittery young arrival to the department. (The role was filled by Marshall Lancaster on the BBC original.)Thus far, the female lead for ABC's Life on Mars has yet to be cast. — Matt MitovichRelated:• October Road Bosses to Wrap Up "Epic Love" Story
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Despite shaky reviews, ABC's October Road (Thursdays at 10 pm/ET) stepped into a prime-time spot behind Grey's Anatomy and held its own in its first few weeks. But will viewers get attached enough to invite Bryan Greenberg's Nick Garrett and his small-town friends back for more? TVGuide.com spoke to Jonathan Murphy — aka Nick's kid brother, Ronnie — about why he was drawn to the series and how it will survive among peers that are exploding with high ratings. Murphy also gives us the scoop on the coming season of ABC Family's Wildfire.
TVGuide.com: So, a pretty good viewer response to October Road
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