Jason O'Mara (left) and Colm Meaney are set to team up

O'Mara will take John Simm's role as time-travelling police officer Sam Tyler in the ABC network's pilot.

Meaney is reported to be in talks to star as detective Gene Hunt, played by Philip Glenister in the BBC version.

The US remake will see Tyler transported back to the 1970s after his girlfriend is abducted.

He will come up against the no-nonsense, old-school detective Hunt as well a serial killer who may have played a part in the abduction.

Philip Glenister (left) and John Simm paired up in the BBC series

Meaney is best-known for playing Chief Miles O'Brien on Star Trek spin-offs The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine between 1987-99.

Dublin-born O'Mara has played a number of smaller roles on US TV shows including CSI: Miami, Men In Trees and Badge of Honour in recent years.

The 35-year-old also appeared in BBC drama series Monarch of The Glen and Playing The Field.

Life on Mars was a major hit in the UK, where the finale was watched by more than seven million people earlier this year.

Spin-off

It won an International Emmy award for best drama series and collected the audience award for best programme at the Baftas.

Glenister's character will make a comeback in the UK in spin-off series Ashes to Ashes, which sees the action move forward to the 1980s.

But Simm's character will be replaced by a female detective from the 21st Century, who is stuck in the past after an accident.