Former "Sopranos" Star Searches for "Life on Mars"

Sam Tyler, meet Ray Carling.

ABC's adaptation of the hit BBC series Life on Mars has landed another cast member in the face of massive overhauling since shooting the original pilot (you can read my review here) under the watchful eye of executive producer/showrunner David E. Kelley.

Kelley, of course, will famously not be continuing with Life on Mars as a full-time showrunner and the series--which has become a co-production between ABC Studios and 20th Century Fox Television--has brought in October Road showrunners Andre Nemec, Scott Rosenberg and Josh Applebaum to oversee the series.

So who will be playing the notoriously sexist and difficult Ray Carling?

ABC has announced that Michael Imperioli (The Sopranos) will join the cast of Life on Mars opposite Jason O'Mara as Detective Sam Tyler.

I'm intrigued by the casting of Imperioli as it comes on the heels of word that the production may recast all of the major roles (other than O'Mara) and is at least a step in the right direction towards creating a compelling cast for this so-far sodden US adaptation. (A complete rewrite of the script would also do wonders.)

Stay tuned.