The acquisition is understood to be one of several the channel will make over the coming months to populate the new drama strand, which will centre around the acquisition of secondary broadcast rights.
Jonathan Webb, director of programmes for Flextech channels Bravo, Trouble, Challenge and Player, said: "'Life on Mars' is the standout drama series of 2006. It's a fantastic show, full of warmth and with great on-screen chemistry. The acquisition of 'Life on Mars' shows how far we have moved Bravo in its ambition to provide smart and funny entertainment to British men."
Bravo acquired the rights for the eight-part series from Kudos, producers of BBC dramas 'Spooks' and 'Hustle'.
Last year, Bravo shifted its programming to target 16- to 44-year-old males, introducing newly commissioned programmes, such as James Brown's 'I Predict a Riot' and setting up new programming strands including animation strand 'Adult Swim'. The broadcaster also acquired US action dramas 'Blade: The Series' and Fox's special forces series 'The Unit' in June.
'Life on Mars' focuses on Sam Tyler, played by Simm, a young present day detective in Manchester who is transported back in time to 1973 after a road accident.
The second series of the show is set to debut on the BBC this autumn.
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