Ashes to Ashes, the BBC fantasy crime drama and sequel to Life on Mars, continues to draw fresh acclaim more than 15 years after it first aired. The series ran on BBC One for three series, debuting in 2008, with a second in 2009 and a third and final run in 2010.
The show follows 21st-century DCI Alex Drake, played by Keeley Hawes, who is shot by Arthur Layton and wakes up in 1981. She finds herself in the same predicament as DCI Sam Tyler from Life on Mars and must work with the arrogant DCI Gene Hunt, portrayed by Philip Glenister, and his team - DS Ray Carling and DC Chris Skelton - to capture Layton and find a way back to her own time. The story deliberately leaves it ambiguous whether Alex is dead or alive, exploring themes of sex, sexism and the limitations of a modern woman's intellect in the past.
Fans still call it a masterpiece
On Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds a 100% audience score. One reviewer described it as an "absolute classic British TV masterpiece", while another called it "enchanting".
A fan review published this year said: "The BBC excel when taking their original Life on Mars concept and giving it another dimension with Keeley Hawes and... the 80s!! Incredible!!!" Another added: "I have just binged on all 3 seasons of this and found it to be excellent. The last two episodes were particularly good. Acting and storylines were all very good with just the right amount of humour. I think it was slightly better than Life on Mars, which was also excellent," added a third fan.
Where to stream Ashes to Ashes
A fourth reviewer remarked: "Just rewatched the whole series and even better than I remembered. Great characters, believable and lovable in their own ways, even Gene Hunt the Guvnor, my favourite of them all with his funny chauvinistic one-liners tipping a cap to how it was back in those days. Keeley Hawes stunning as always and a great actress."
Ashes to Ashes is available to stream now on BBC iPlayer.
