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EXCLUSIVE: Jason O’Mara may be going back in time again, this time way back. The Life On Mars star is in talks to topline Terra Nova, Fox’s midseason series produced by Steven Spielberg and Peter Chernin.
Terra Nova, one of the highlights at the Fox upfront presentation, centers on the Shannons, an ordinary family from 2149 when the planet is dying who are transported back 85 million years to prehistoric Earth where they join Terra Nova, a colony of humans with a second chance to build a civilization. O’Mara would play Jim Shannon, a devoted father with a checkered past who guides his family through this new land of limitless beauty, mystery and terror. Alex Graves recently came on board to direct the pilot for the series, which is produced by 20th TV, DreamWorks TV, Kapital Entertainment and Chernin Entertainment.
Terra Nova would reunite O’Mara with 20th TV, which also produced ABC’s Life On Mars, an U.S. version of the BBC series. O’Mara was great as the lead, New York City homicide detective Sam Tyler who suddenly found himself inexplicably transported from 2008 to 1973.
O’Mara would be the first actor cast in Terra Nova. There were two offers made to actors for various roles on the project before the upfronts but neither of them got to a talks stage.
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Love this guy! He’s long overdue for a big breakthrough… He’d be a wonderful choice.
I think this is the first time in a very long time (pun intended) that I have actually been looking this actively forward to a new television series.
WIth this premise, and this pedigree, how could I possibly be disappointed in the show? As a fan, the producers of this program virtually had me as a “lock”.
Just when you thought it was safe… Or life is what happens when…
The simple casting of Jason O’Mara now takes this show into the a most definitely “will-not-watch” column for me. That is how much I find Jason O’Mara a turn-off. His simple presence in something instantly gives me that hour per week back. Of course, with him in the show, it may only be on for three of four weeks, since I do not believe that I am alone in my distaste for him.
There are so many other people out there, great ones… ones that can carry a series, and can actually act.
Please — is there still time to reconsider. It is a show about time travel…
I strongly disagree. O’Mara is solid. Very interesting to watch, and always gives an honest performance. His work on Life on Mars was exceptional. And I’m an actor who HATES when roles go to non-Americans.
Anonymous, just to let you know that Jason O’Mara IS AN AMERICAN CITIZEN.
He received his citizenship January 2009. Please do your homework.
Wow did Jason take your girlfriend? Nothing you are saying makes any sense or is based on anything.
Why the distaste….explain it, perhaps then there can be a discussion?
Good I like Jason
Isn’t Kyle Chandler supposed to be the lead?
Iw as wondering the same thing. That had me excited for the project, not that O’Mara is a bad choice
I loved every episode of Life on Mars (up until the last five minutes of the finale) and, while the terrific supporting cast helped matters, most of that was due to Jason. He was incredible and really grounded the sci-fi elements of the show in his character’s humanity and strugle to go home. He carried the whole thing wonderfully and has the potential to be a bonna fide star. He was also fantastic in his recurring guest parts on The Closer, Men in Trees and Grey’s Anatomy, which demonstrate the range of his abilty. I always said that somebody should snap him up again as soon as Mars ended and I’ve really missed him on my TV this season. This sounds like a fantastic match and I’ll be very excited if it happens.
He is such a wonderful actor. Sounds like a great show.
Jason is good people. Solid actor, really smart, and great on set. They’d be lucky to have him.
I cannot say enough nice things about Jason on LOM. He worked longer and harder than anyone, and never complained. Sorry to see him leave town, but I hope this is finally the show that makes him a star.
There’s talk that Universal and Spielberg might be considering a 3D “Jaws” remake — with comedian Tracy Morgan in the shark-hunter role.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO just had to add my opinion…..ahem
First time I saw him was on an episode of “The Closer” a few years ago. He was riveting. I was so interested in this performer that I actually got online after the show was over and looked him up.
That never happens.
I hope to see him in more and more projects. Wasn’t a huge fan of Mars, but I certainly enjoyed him. Kinda wish he would stop with the high concept crap and just pick an amazing character role. But I’m sure his peeps are pushing him to be a movie star. I think he could be… or if he’s really smart, just work forever as an amazing character actor.
The same thing happened to me after watching The Closer. I thought he was amazing. A couple of times before I’ve noticed actors and predicted that they were going to be big- big stars – one was Patrick Swayze in a made for television movie about roller skating, the other was Harrison Ford in American Graffiti. Jason is going to be big in movies or television – or both. He’s signed to play Joe Morelli in a movie based on Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series. The movie “One for the Money” also stars Katherine Hiegl as Stephanie Plum. I’m in heaven because I love the books and I love Jason O’Mara. He has the looks but most of all he can play the humerous strong masculine type that the character Joe Morelli is. I hope this movie puts him on top. I rarely go to movies but I will definitely go to this one!
Happy for Jason O’Mara this role is a perfect fit for him.
And yes agreed solid actor and a really nice guy.
This guy is a really good actor. Too good for TV. He should be signed up to do a really big budget action movie. He comes across as a likeable,everyman who can be a tough guy when needed. Kind of like a “Bruce Willis Type” with hair.
Kyle Chandler was offered the lead – he declined. O’Mara is a great second choice.
He would be wonderful for this role and he just isn’t seen that much. What fun it will be to see him in this role!! Can’t wait until it hits the airways!
I will give this a shot because I liked Jason on LOM so much. The plot seems intriguing.I agree with everyone Jason deserves a hit.
It’s not on Fox’s midesason schedule as of right now.
Seems like the right actor for the part.
I think Jason O’Mara is perfect for the role. Spielberg really has some eye and can detect the diamonds for his epic movies. The storyline of ‘Terra Nova’ looks great to me. Lets wait for the release.
Jason O’Mara was in an episode of Band of Brothers, so he has a sort of history with Spielberg. Now the real question is does Spielberg have an eye foe TV, because as I recall, other than ER which I believe his EP was “in name only” credit. Series he has really been involved with have flopped and only stuck around because of his name , Seaquest. When it comes to movies Spielberg is almost impossible to beat, but when it’s a 22-hour week after week saga he kinda falls on his face. Let’s hope that changes.
Jason would be an awesome choice!!! Worked with him for months on LOM. He’s the hardest working actor I’ve met,always a pro and a lovely Gentleman. He gets better and better. It’s only a matter of time before he’s on top. I look forward to seeing him on the screen again. Best of luck Jason, best of luck Mr. Spielberg on your new show.
O’Mara has has got the “goods”. He is a terrific actor and true leading man, in the old fashion sense of the expression, in an entertainment landscape in which guys like this are few and far between. I’ve always been a fan, and am excited about the potential of this.
As long as we get to see him in his underwear I’m all for it!
Dear Executives:
Where do I send the DVDs of both of the British and ABC versions of the series ‘Life on Mars’ for you to be able compare the quality of the acting?
You do not need to return the ABC version DVDs to me.
Is it like that movie Supernova that had like three directors?
Cuz that movie sucked donkeys.
I think it is a mistake to not make this show
in Hawaii.
Our nations economy is at an all time low because
we ship our jobs and now our shows overseas.
Keep the industry job here to help us all.
Just my humble opinion.
I’m a long time fan and a bit of a historian. Hope the Stephanie Plum movie fares well and maybe serializes. Terra Nova can go big time like Stargate or Star Trek. Or even Star Wars! Jason would love that.
I think he is perfect for the role. Though its not that much important who is gonna act in this role as its a Spielberg film, but still he is the right person i guess.