ASHES TO ASHES (TV SERIES)

'''Ashes to Ashes''' is a forthcoming British television drama series,^[2] a spin off from the popular ''Life on Mars'' series which ran for two series in 2006–2007. It is a Kudos Film & Television production for BBC Wales, to be broadcast on BBC One.

Contents

Background

References

Background

''Ashes to Ashes'' will feature DCI Gene Hunt (played by Philip Glenister) as its main character. He will be joined by a female detective from the 21st century, DCI Alex Drake, who is stranded in 1981 after an accident.^[3] She will be played by Keeley Hawes. Also reappearing are Chris Skelton (played by Marshall Lancaster) who is stated to be a "technical wizard" and Ray Carling (played by Dean Andrews) who have followed and remained loyal to Gene and they have all transferred to the Metropolitan Police in London and there will be a recruit in the form of WPC Sharon 'Shaz' Granger (to be played by Montserrat Lombard). As with the parent series, the show's name comes from a David Bowie song of the era in which it is set. ''The Times'' reported that this spin-off would pick up the lives of Gene Hunt and other characters from the series in 1981 and Matthew Graham also said in interviews that the great mystery of Gene Hunt will be revealed.^[4] BBC Wales Head of Drama Julie Gardner confirmed that the spin-off was to be produced during an interview for BBC Radio Wales in March 2007.^[5]
Since Alex Drake is said to have spent months (in 2008) poring over detailed reports left behind by Sam Tyler (John Simm's character from ''Life on Mars'') ''Ashes to Ashes'' seems to take the position that Sam's 2006 life was real, with Alex patterning her 1981 on Sam's reports. Sam himself will not be appearing in the new series, with actor John Simm quoted as saying, "My instinct tells me not to hang around too long." The suggested transmission date is January 2008.^[6]
Several shots of the cast rehearsing for the new series have been released on Philip Glenister's official website.

References

1. Keeley Hawes joins cast of Ashes To Ashes
2. Life On Mars to do Eighties sequel
3. Ashes to Ashes - swapping the Ford Cortina for an Audi Quattro, DCI Gene Hunt rolls up his sleeves and embraces the Eighties in sequel to Life On Mars
4. Originality is old hat as the BBC spins off its top series Adam Sherwin
5.
6. The Independent