BBC show Life on Mars has been one of the most successful British TV series in the past two decades, with its cast members going on to achieve stardom in television and film.
The series followed Greater Manchester Police detective DCI Sam Tyler (John Simm), who finds himself waking up in 1977 following a car accident, still serving as a policeman but under entirely different rules and culture.
This unique science fiction drama combined elements from Lost, Doctor Who, and police dramas, leaving viewers pondering whether Sam Tyler had time-travelled, died or was simply in a coma.
The innovative series was the brainchild of Matthew Graham and Ashley Pharaoh and 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 of Gene Hunt assisting 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, in June 2023, series creator Matthew Graham announced that the project had effectively been cancelled, although fans were given a sneak peek of the opening episode at a live script reading.
Most of the cast members have since embarked on successful TV careers, while one actor left the industry to establish his own construction company. Here's an update on where the cast of Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes are now.
John Simm - DCI Sam Tyler
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? John Simm shot to TV fame thanks to this role, leading him to another iconic character, the Master, in Doctor Who, battling wits with David Tenant's Doctor and later facing Peter Capaldi.
The versatile actor 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.
Alongside Philip Glenister in DNA Journey, Simm discovered his father wasn't the man he had known all his life but a stranger named Terry Smith, whom, the programme disclosed, passed away. The show discovered Smith frequented the same venues as Simm's presumed father, Ronald Simm.
Reflecting on the discovery during DNA Journey, 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
Famed for his bold policing style, Gene Hunt graced screens in both Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes. Since the conclusion of these shows, fans have been clamouring for more appearances from the 'Gene Genie'.
Philip Glenister's most recognised role is Gene Hunt, though he has also featured in numerous other television 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
DCI Alex Drake was shot in 2008 by Arthur Layton and mysteriously woke up in 1981. She partners with Gene Hunt while also investigating what happened with Sam Tyler.
Keeley Hawes had already established herself as a TV and film star, notably playing Zoe Reynolds in the BBC series Spooks, as well as other roles in Wives and Daughters and Lucky Kim. Following Ashes to Ashes, she has featured 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 appeared 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 resides in London with her three children and husband Matthew MacFadyen, known for his role in Succession.
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 starred in Line of Duty, Ackley Bridge, the award-winning film Pride, and notably, the horror film The Woman in Black where she played the title character. Her other appearances include ITV drama Unforgotten, Doctor Who, The Paradise, Call the Midwife, Unforgotten and Grantchester.
Dean Andrews - DC Ray Carling
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 with a bone to pick with DI Tyler. Following the BBC series, Dean secured roles in Channel 4 drama No Angels and BBC's Waterloo Road.
In 2011, he featured in United, the BBC Two film about the Munich Air disaster before joining the cast of the BBC drama Last Tango in Halifax. Since 2019, he has been portraying Will Taylor in Emmerdale.
Marshall Lancaster - DC Chris Skelton
Marshall Lancaster became a beloved figure on television, hailed as "cheeky but likeable" by Gene Hunt, through his portrayal of DC Skelton in the hit series Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes. Fans adored his performances, making him a household name.
After appearing in both Casualty and Doctor Who, Marshall decided to hang up his acting gloves and set up his own construction firm. In 2013, he established Marshall Lancaster Plastering and currently thrives as a contractor in Macclesfield.
Daniel Mays - DCI Jim Keats
Daniel Mays portrayed DCI Jim Keats who, under the guise of an investigator sent to scrutinise Gene Hunt's team, was eventually unmasked as a sinister spirit.
Daniel Mays' career since then has been profilic and he has appeared on huge TV series such as Line of Duty and notable productions including Des, Temple, Porters, Code 404, and Magpie Murders.
His filmography is equally impressive, featuring roles in the likes of Bank Job, 1917, Rogue One, and Fisherman's Friends. He will appear in The Thursday Murder Club in a yet-to-be-disclosed role.
Montserrat Lombard - DC Sharon ‘Shaz’ Granger
DC Sharon 'Shaz' Granger's look was inspired by Joanne Catherall of The Human League circa 1981. Her on-screen romance with DC Chris Skelton left fans entranced throughout all three series of the show.
Post-Ashes to Ashes, Montserrat continued to shine, clinching several acting gigs. She made a memorable appearance in BBC's comedy Upstart Crow alongside David Mitchell from 2016 to 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 played a key role 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. The character met a tragic end in 2020 after contracting coronavirus in a distressing episode.
His other roles during this period were 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 role in the series.
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.
