Life on Mars was one of the biggest British TV series in the last two decades, and its cast members have since achieved stardom in television and film.
The BBC series centred around Greater Manchester Police detective DCI Sam Tyler (John Simm), who wakes up after a car crash in 1977, still serving as a policeman but under entirely different rules.
This peculiar sci-fi drama combined elements of Lost, Doctor Who, and police dramas, leaving viewers to ponder whether Sam Tyler had time-travelled, died, or was merely in a coma.
The innovative series, conceived 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 yearning for more adventures with Gene Hunt as he assisted people in limbo.
A third show, Lazarus, named after another David Bowie song, was in development for several years and was set to conclude the story of Gene Hunt and Sam Tyler. Unfortunately, series creator Matthew Graham announced in June 2023 that the project had effectively been cancelled, but fans were treated to a sneak peek of the opening episode at a live script reading.
The Manchester Evening News reports most of the cast members have gone on to have successful TV careers, while one actor left the industry to run 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
John Simms (left) with co-star and good friend Phil Glenister (right) for ITV show DNA Journey
DCI Sam Tyler found himself inexplicably in 1970s Manchester in Life on Mars, leading viewers to speculate whether he time-travelled, was he dead, or simply in a coma?
Life on Mars catapulted 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 tenure.
His television career didn’t just peak there – Simm has been 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 leads 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 wasnt his biological father, but rather a man named Terry Smith, who had sadly passed on yet shared a history in the same working mens 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
Actor Philip Glenister and his Call The Midwife star wife Beth Goddard. ( Image: (Image: GETTY))
Known for his brash approach to policing, Gene Hunt appeared in both Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes. Following the two shows, viewers have been crying out to see more of the ‘Gene Genie’.
Gene Hunt is Philip Glenister’s most recognised role, but he has also featured in numerous other TV series. He reunited with co-star and close friend John Simm in State of Play and Mad Dogs, and made appearances 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
Keeley Hawes and Matthew Macfadyen at the Marvel Studios’ “Deadpool & Wolverine” World Premiere ( Image: Variety via Getty Images)
DCI Alex Drake found herself shot in 2008 by a man named Arthur Layton, only to mysteriously wake up in 1981. She partners with Gene Hunt while also investigating what transpired with Sam Tyler.
Keeley Hawes was already a household name in TV and film due to her role as Zoe Reynolds in the BBC series Spooks, Wives and Daughters and Lucky Kim. Post Ashes to Ashes, she has starred in several 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 and Succession star Matthew MacFadyen.
Liz White – WPC Annie Cartwright
Liz White portrayed WPC Annie Cartwright, Sam Tyler’s love interest in Life on Mars. Her role 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
Since 2019, Dean Andrews has been portraying Will Taylor in Emmerdale.Dean Andrews played the straight-talking detective Ray Carling in both Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes, serving as Hunt’s right-hand man and holding a grudge against 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 starred 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
Marshall Lancaster attends the TV Quick & Tv Choice Awards ( Image: Getty Images)
DC Skelton, portrayed by Marshall Lancaster in both Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes, was a character that viewers quickly warmed up to. Described as “cheeky but likeable” by Gene Hunt, he was involved in several major storylines.
After his acting career, which included roles in Casualty and Doctor Who, Lancaster stepped away from the industry to start his own construction company, Marshall Lancaster Plastering, in 2013.
Daniel Mays – DCI Jim Keats
The King chats to actor Daniel Mays ( Image: PA)
Daniel Mays played DCI Jim Keats, who was sent to investigate Gene Hunt and his team’s activities with the intention of dismantling the unit. However, it was later revealed that Jim Keats was a malevolent spirit aiming to drag the squad to hell.
Mays has since had a successful TV career, landing significant 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
Actress Montserrat Lombard as Shaz Granger in Ashes To Ashes ( Image: BBC)
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
Noel Garcia was played by Tony Marshall ( Image: BBC)
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.
