Life on Mars

Pretty much the worst news you can receive, Life on Mars fans: the ABC drama has been canceled.

An insider told Michael Ausiello that the network has told the show's producers it will not be ordering a second season.

The silver lining is that writers should have enough to time pen a legitimate series finale. Unlike Pushing Daisies, Dirty Sexy Money, Eli Stone and other recently-canceled shows, ABC will actually air the show's remaining episodes this spring.

Thanks to Zap2It, we've uncovered a series of Life on Mars spoilers related to this week's new episode and beyond.

Here's a look at what fans can expect:

• Sam will meet someone that claims to be from 2009;
• The man will provide possible explanations from the time jump;
• Ray and Annie will partner up;
• We'll meet Ray's wife.

Annie will be featured in a couple of prominent future storylines on Life on Mars.

Yes, that was Vincent Curatola guest-starring this week on Life on Mars.

And, according to Zap2It, this won't be the last time fans of The Sopranos see the actor best known as "Johnny Sack" on the ABC drama.

Moreover, reports indicate that fans will see more Gene's daughter Maria (Maggie Siff). She''' be sticking around for several episodes. Where will her relationship with Sam go?

Oh, and what's in the basement? We'll find that out, as well.

Life on Mars finally returns to the air tonight.

That's exciting enough.

But Zap2It's Korbi Ghosh also has this piece of news regarding two of the show's main characters:

Romance between Sam and Annie will definitely develop in the second half of the season. Of course, this doesn't mean Sam's 2008 girlfriend, Maya, will disappear.

According to Life on Mars Executive Producer, Josh Appelbaum, because Lisa Bonet just had a baby (and has been on maternity leave), viewers won't see Maya as much.

However, her character will return towards the end of the season... with intriguing information that may rock Sam's world.

After weeks off the air, Life on Mars returns with a new episode tomorrow night.

Ready for an early look at "Take a Look at the Lawmen"? Here's a clip from the hour:

Life on Mars returns from a long hiatus on a new night: Wednesday, January 28.

When the popular series comes back, readers want to know what's in store for the rest of the first season? Will it end differently than the British original on which this series is based?

According to ABC President Steve McPherson, who spoke last week at the TCA winter press tour, all signs point to a very different reason behind Sam Tyler's time-tripping.

"In this next installment [of episodes], you'll see that the mythology is not as per the British version," he said.

Following a two-month hiatus, Life on Mars will return with new episodes on January 28.

Fans of the series are getting a bit anxious, understandably, so Michael Ausiello of Entertainment Weekly has at least provided them with this casting tidbit:

Producers are searching for an actress to play the never-before-seen wife of Michael Imperioli's cop, Ray Carling. Don't hold your breath for Drea de Matteo, fans of The Sopranos.

Actresses with an affinity for facial hair are being called in to try out for Ray Carling's wife.

From the 1960s to the 1970s, Maggie Siff is working her way up the 20th century.

The actress, who appeared on season one of Mad Men as Don Draper's mistress, has been chosen to play the daughter of Harvey Keitel's police lieutenant on Life on Mars.

Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello broke the story. No air date for Siff (pictured) has been announced yet.

Life on Mars is on hiatus.

The show will return with new episodes on January 28, but fans can keep current with the series via this inside look.

Click on the following images to check out the cast and crew on set...

[Photo Credit: Splash News]

Eric Balfour, most recently seen on 24 and The Ex-List, will soon guest star on Life on Mars.

Our thanks to Michael Ausiello of Entertainment Weekly for making this casting announcement. Regarding the role Balfour will play, the television columnist reports:

Sources confirm that Balfour will play the younger brother of Michael Imperioli's cop character. His airdate is yet to be announced.