Life on Mars was a much-loved British TV series and often described as one of the biggest shows in the last two decades. Following its finale in 2007, many of its cast members have gone on to achieve stardom in television and film.
The BBC show centred around Greater Manchester Police detective DCI Sam Tyler, played by John Simm, who wakes up after a car crash in 1977, still serving as a cop but under very different circumstances.
This sci-fi drama combined elements of Lost, Doctor Who, and police dramas, leaving viewers wondering whether Sam Tyler had time-travelled, died, or was merely in a coma. The successful series, created by Matthew Graham and Ashley Pharaoh, led to a spin-off titled Ashes to Ashes in 2008.
The spin-off ended after three seasons in 2010, leaving fans desperate for more adventures with Gene Hunt as he assisted people in limbo. A third show, titled Lazarus – like Life On Mars, also named after a David Bowie song – was in development for several years and was set to conclude the story of Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister) and Sam Tyler, reports the Mirror.
Sadly for fans, series creator Matthew Graham confirmed in June 2023 that the project had effectively been cancelled, but fans were given a sneak peek of the opening episode at a live script reading.
Most of the cast members have gone on to have colourful TV careers, while one actor said goodbye to the industry and runs his own construction company. Here’s what the cast of Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes are doing now.
John Simm – DCI Sam Tyler
DCI Sam Tyler found himself unexplainable in 1970s Manchester in Life on Mars, leading viewers to ponder whether he’d time-travelled, died, or was in a coma. The show propelled John Simm to stardom and set the stage for his subsequent role as the villainous Master in BBC’s Doctor Who, where he squared off against David Tennant. Later, he re-joined the Whovian universe during Peter Capaldi’s reign.
However, this wasn’t the only highlight of his TV career, as Simm also featured in numerous acclaimed TV series including Mad Dogs, Strangers, Cold Storage, The Lakes, and State of Play. His silver screen appearances include noteworthy films such as Human Traffic, Devilwood, and Skellig. Simm currently stars as DSU Roy Grace in the hit ITV drama Grace, which recently aired its third season.
On a personal note, alongside Philip Glenister on DNA Journey, Simm unearthed a family secret. He unexpectedly discovered that Ronald Simm wasn’t his biological father, but a man named Terry Smith, who had sadly died, yet shared a history in the same working men’s clubs with Ronald.
Reflecting on the discovery, Simm shared: “It’s turned out to be such a massive thing in my life and all I was doing was a favour for Phil so he didn’t have to do it on his own. It’s spun my world… everything I thought I knew wasn’t real.”
Philip Glenister – DCI Gene Hunt
Known for his assertive approach to policing, Gene Hunt appeared in both Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes. Following the two shows, viewers have been keen to see more of the ‘Gene Genie’.
Gene Hunt is Glenister’s most notorious role, but he’s also appeared in various other TV shows. He reunited with co-star and close friend John Simm in State of Play and Mad Dogs, also making an appearance in Big School, Prey, Belgravia and Living the Dream.
In 2019, Glenister took on a presenting role in the ‘true’ crime show What the Killer Did Next. More recently, he appeared in Steeltown Murders, Foundation and After the Flood.
Keeley Hawes – DCI Alex Drake
DCI Alex Drake was shot by a man named Arthur Layton in 2008. She mysteriously woke up in 1981. She partners with Gene Hunt while also investigating what transpired with Sam Tyler. Keeley Hawes was already well-known in TV and film thanks to her role as Zoe Reynolds in the BBC series Spooks, Wives and Daughters, and Lucky Kim.
Following Ashes to Ashes, she starred in other TV dramas including the hit BBC drama Line of Duty as the disgraced police officer Lindsay Denton. She later starred in another drama from the same writer (Jed Mercurio), Bodyguard, alongside actor Richard Madden.
A familiar face on British television, Keeley has also featured in Upstairs, Downstairs, The Missing, It’s A Sin, The Durrells and Finding Alice, where she also served as an executive producer. Hawes recently graced the screen as Amanda Thirsk, Prince Andrew’s former private secretary, in the Netflix film Scoop. She currently resides in London with her three children and her husband, Succession star Matthew MacFadyen.
Liz White – WPC Annie Cartwright
Liz White starred as WPC Annie Cartwright, Sam Tyler’s love interest in Life on Mars. Her appearance in the show significantly boosted her career, propelling her from minor roles in smaller BBC dramas to major credits.
White has since landed leading roles in Line of Duty, Ackley Bridge, the award-winning film Pride, and most notably, the 2012 horror film The Woman in Black, where she played the title character. She has also featured in ITV drama Unforgotten, Doctor Who, The Paradise, Call the Midwife, Unforgotten and Grantchester.
Dean Andrews – DC Ray Carling
Dean Andrews portrayed unequivocal detective Ray Carling in Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes, serving as Hunt’s right-hand man and resenting DI Tyler. After his stint as DC Carling, Dean secured roles in Channel 4 drama No Angels and BBC’s Waterloo Road.
In 2011, he appeared in United, the BBC Two film about the Munich Air disaster, before taking on a role in the BBC drama Last Tango in Halifax. Since 2019, he has been portraying Will Taylor in Emmerdale.
Marshall Lancaster – DC Chris Skelton
DC Skelton, played by Marshall Lancaster in both Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes, was a name viewers quickly liked. He was dubbed “cheeky but likeable” by Gene Hunt, and was involved in various major storylines.
Following his TV career, which included roles in Casualty and Doctor Who, Lancaster stepped down from the industry to start his own construction company, Marshall Lancaster Plastering, in 2013.
Daniel Mays – DCI Jim Keats
Daniel Mays played DCI Jim Keats, who was sent to investigate Gene Hunt and his team’s activities to dismantle the unit. However, it was later revealed that Jim Keats was a spiteful spirit aiming to drag the squad to hell.
He has since had a fruitful career, landing roles in Line of Duty, Good Omens, Des, Temple, Porters, Code 404 and Magpie Murders. He’s also appeared in various films including Bank Job, 1917, Rogue One and Fisherman’s Friends, and is set to appear in The Thursday Murder Club.
Montserrat Lombard – DC Sharon ‘Shaz’ Granger
Montserrat Lombard played DC Sharon ‘Shaz’ Granger, introduced as a love interest for DC Chris Skelton. Her portrayal of ‘Shaz’ in Ashes to Ashes, with a look and style based on Joanne Catherall of The Human League in 1981, impressed audiences.
Lombard appeared in all three series of Ashes to Ashes and went on to secure several other roles, notably appearing in BBC David Mitchell comedy Upstart Crow between 2016-2018.
Tony Marshall – Nelson
Tony Marshall, known for his role as pub landlord Nelson in Life on Mars, was one of the few regulars not portraying a police officer. He also made a cameo in the thrilling finale of Ashes to Ashes.
Post his stint on the show, Tony bagged a role in the enduring medical drama Casualty, where he played Noel Garcia. Sadly, his character met a tragic end in 2020 after contracting coronavirus in a distressing episode. His other roles during this period have been minor, with credits for Hollyoaks and an episode of Still Open All Hours.
Noreen Kershaw – WPC Phyliss Dobbs
Noreen Kershaw, who portrayed WPC Phyliss Dobbs in Life on Mars, transitioned to directing post her final acting gig. Kershaw has since directed episodes of Coronation Street, Shameless, Emmerdale and Heartbeat.
Recently, she took up the task of directing the long-standing BBC drama Call the Midwife. This year, Kershaw revealed to Hello magazine that she would be directing a brand new five-part mini series on Channel Five titled Compulsion, starring Leanne Best of Cold Feet.
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