Casting Couch: Two More Discover "Life on Mars"

David E. Kelley's US adaptation of hit BBC series (and Televisionary favorite) Life on Mars just got a little more crowded.

After locking in series leads Sam Tyler and Annie, to be played by Marlowe's Jason O'Mara and Veronica Mars' Rachelle Lefevre, Kelley has finally clinched the pivotal character of Detective Gene Hunt, the surly, violence-prone head of the homicide division. (The Gene Genie in the original Life on Mars was played with aplomb by the preternaturally talented Philip Glenister.)

Hunt will be played by veteran Irish actor Colm Meaney, familiar to many as Chief O'Brien on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: The Next Generation. He's appeared in dozens of films including Layer Cake, The Commitments, Claire Dolan, Con Air, The Snapper, and Mystery, Alaska, the latter of which was written by--you guessed it--David E. Kelley himself.

Also cast in the drama pilot: Rescue Me's Lenny Clark.

Life in Mars is still in contention for a midseason berth on ABC.

What's On Tonight

8 pm: Ghost Whisperer (CBS); 1 vs. 100 (NBC); WWE Friday Night SmackDown (CW; 8-10 pm); Set for Life (ABC)

9 pm: Jericho (CBS); Las Vegas (NBC); George Lopez/George Lopez (ABC)

10 pm: NUMB3RS (CBS); Law & Order: Criminal Intent (NBC); 20/20 (ABC)

What I'll Be Watching

8 pm: Doctor Who on Sci Fi.

On tonight's episode ("42"), the Doctor and Martha only have 42 minutes to prevent the spaceship they're on from crashing into the heart of the sun. Is it getting hot in here?