Michael Imperioli is enjoying Life on Mars.

The actor is featured in The New York Times, as he says the new show came along at the perfect time, following the end of his run on The Sopranos.

“When this came along I really liked the character, I really liked the story, I liked the ideas they had for casting, and I liked being able to stay home with my family," the actor said.

What attracted Imperioli to the role?

“There’s an intelligence that goes with being a good cop. Intuitiveness: they have to be actors, they have to have deductive reasoning, knowledge about a great deal of subjects.”

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.