Scoop! Keitel Lands on Mars as Homicide Boss

• Jul 24, 2008 08:01 PM ET
• by Matt Mitovich

Last week at press tour, the producers of ABC's Life on Mars revealed they were after a "name" to top off their tweaked cast. Well, they got one. Harvey Keitel - an Academy Award nominee for his work in Bugsy and familiar from such films as Reservoir Dogs and (nudity alert!) The Piano - has been tapped to fill the pivotal role of Det. Gene Hunt, the gruff head of the homicide department for which Jason O'Mara's Sam Tyler toils. Hunt, the last major male character to be cast on ABC's port of the BBC series, was played across the pond by Philip Glenister.

Interestingly, exactly a year ago Keitel was being eyeballed to replace Mandy Patinkin on Criminal Minds. Joe Mantegna ultimately was cast instead.

Other announced casting for Life on Mars includes The Sopranos' Michael Imperioli (as Det. Ray Carling) and October Road's Jonathan Murphy (as upstart Det. Chris Skelton).

Life on Mars concerns a modern-day cop (O'Mara) mysteriously transported back to the 1970s. Filming on the series begins Aug. 5, in and around New York City.

What's your take, Mars purists? I know you've got a close eye on this show, so I've been busting my bumbershoot to give you the most news on it. - Matt Mitovich

Related:
" ABC's Life on Mars to Amp Up the Mystery
" Sopranos' Imperioli Gives Life on Mars a Try
" Harvey Keitel Out of Running for Criminal Minds Lead