Ashes to Ashes (2008)
A stylish BBC One crime drama that sends DI Alex Drake back to 1981 and into the orbit of the unforgettable DCI Gene Hunt.
Ashes to Ashes - Series Information
- Original Title: Ashes to Ashes
- First Air Year: 2008
- Last Air Year: 2010
- Created by: Ashley Pharoah, Matthew Graham
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Crime, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (58 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 3
- Number of Episodes: 24
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: February 7, 2008 (United States - TV-14), February 7, 2008 (Canada - 14+), February 7, 2008 (United Kingdom - 15), February 7, 2008 (Germany - 16), February 7, 2008 (France - 16), February 7, 2008 (Australia - M), February 7, 2008 (Brazil - 16), February 7, 2008 (Italy - T), February 7, 2008 (Spain - 16)
- Networks: BBC One
- Production Companies: BBC, Monastic Productions, BBC Cymru Wales
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
Ashes to Ashes - Plot
Crime drama series featuring Life On Mars' DCI Gene Hunt. After being shot in 2008, DI Alex Drake lands in 1981, where she finds herself in familiar company.
Ashes to Ashes - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a taste of 1981 London with Gene Hunt's team.
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Ashes to Ashes - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Ashley Pharoah
- Matthew Graham
Main Cast
- Keeley Hawes
- Philip Glenister
- Dean Andrews
- Marshall Lancaster
- Montserrat Lombard
- Joseph Long
- Amelia Bullmore
- Geff Francis
- Daniel Mays
- Stephen Campbell Moore
Writers
- Matthew Graham
- Ashley Pharoah
- Mark Greig
- Julie Rutterford
- Nicole Taylor
Ashes to Ashes - FAQs
Is Ashes to Ashes a sequel to Life on Mars?
It is indeed a direct sequel to Life on Mars. Set in 1981 London rather than 1973 Manchester, it brings back the beloved DCI Gene Hunt and reunites him with a new protagonist, DI Alex Drake, who finds herself trapped in the past under equally mysterious circumstances.
What does the ending of Ashes to Ashes actually mean?
The finale reveals that Gene Hunt's world is a kind of purgatory for police officers who died traumatically. Hunt himself is a guide helping lost souls find peace. Alex, Sam Tyler, and the team were all dead, and the Railway Arms pub represents their passage into the afterlife.
Where can you stream Ashes to Ashes?
Ashes to Ashes is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, BritBox, and the BritBox Apple TV and Amazon channels. Free ad-supported viewing is available on The Roku Channel, Tubi TV, and Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads.
Who plays Alex Drake in Ashes to Ashes?
Keeley Hawes plays DI Alex Drake, a police psychologist from 2008 who wakes up in 1981 after being shot. Her performance anchors the series, balancing sharp intelligence with emotional vulnerability as she tries to understand the strange world she's landed in.
Is Ashes to Ashes worth watching for non-fans of Life on Mars?
Absolutely. While familiarity with Life on Mars enriches the experience, Ashes to Ashes stands on its own as a stylish, witty, and emotionally resonant crime drama. The 1980s London setting, sharp writing, and the magnetic chemistry between Hawes and Glenister make it compulsively watchable.
How many seasons and episodes does Ashes to Ashes have?
Ashes to Ashes ran for three seasons, each containing eight episodes, for a total of 24 main episodes. There are also 10 additional special episodes. The series aired on BBC One from February 2008 through May 2010.
Who is Jim Keats and what is his role in the series?
Jim Keats, played by Daniel Mays, arrives in Season 3 as an internal affairs officer investigating Gene Hunt's team. He gradually emerges as a deeply sinister figure — ultimately revealed to be a devil-like entity trying to claim the souls of the officers trapped in purgatory.
What genre is Ashes to Ashes?
Ashes to Ashes blends crime, sci-fi, fantasy, action, adventure, and drama. It wraps procedural police cases in a surreal, time-travel mystery, all drenched in 1980s nostalgia. The mix of gritty detective work and metaphysical intrigue gives it a genuinely unique identity on British television.
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