Ashes to Ashes (2008 - 2010)
DCI Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister), the Neanderthal copper last seen in Life on Mars is back. Joined in London by his faithful sidekicks DS Ray Carling (Dean Andrews), DC Chris Skelton (Marshall Lancaster) and a brand new red Audi Quatrro, Gene is ready to take on the 'Southern Nancy' criminal scum and show the Met at thing or two about policing.
Only this time it's 1981 and the world has changed. Charles and Diana are about to marry, there's been rioting in Brixton and there are perms, pastel suits and cocktails all around him. Worse still, Hunt has finally met his match with the arrival of DI Alex Drake (Keeley Hawes), a sexy sophisticated police psychologist from 2008 who has studied the world of the now deceased Sam Tyler.
When Alex is shot and wakes up in 1981, she realises she has assimilated Sam's fantasies with her own experience to create this world. She needs to do everything in her power to keep fighting, stay alive and to get back to her daughter Molly. To a soundtrack of Duran Duran, The Clash, OMD and The Human League, sparks fly as Hunt and Drake grapple with each other and the world around them.
Only this time it's 1981 and the world has changed. Charles and Diana are about to marry, there's been rioting in Brixton and there are perms, pastel suits and cocktails all around him. Worse still, Hunt has finally met his match with the arrival of DI Alex Drake (Keeley Hawes), a sexy sophisticated police psychologist from 2008 who has studied the world of the now deceased Sam Tyler.
When Alex is shot and wakes up in 1981, she realises she has assimilated Sam's fantasies with her own experience to create this world. She needs to do everything in her power to keep fighting, stay alive and to get back to her daughter Molly. To a soundtrack of Duran Duran, The Clash, OMD and The Human League, sparks fly as Hunt and Drake grapple with each other and the world around them.
Philip plays...
DCI Gene Hunt
Gene Hunt is the 'Manc Lion', the politically incorrect, misogynistic senior officer at Fenchurch East police station. He transferred from Greater Manchester Police in February 1980 after the break-up of his marriage and the death of his long-serving Detective Inspector, Sam Tyler. But to him scum is scum; it doesn't matter whereabouts in the country you are. A bit of a maverick, Gene sees himself as the sheriff; in his head, he lives in a western and sees himself as the sheriff at high noon.
DCI Gene Hunt
Gene Hunt is the 'Manc Lion', the politically incorrect, misogynistic senior officer at Fenchurch East police station. He transferred from Greater Manchester Police in February 1980 after the break-up of his marriage and the death of his long-serving Detective Inspector, Sam Tyler. But to him scum is scum; it doesn't matter whereabouts in the country you are. A bit of a maverick, Gene sees himself as the sheriff; in his head, he lives in a western and sees himself as the sheriff at high noon.
Episode Guide
The series lasted for three series. Click the links below for more detailed information about the episodes.
In addition to the main series, the cast also took part in two charity specials; one for Children in Need 2008 and one for Sport Relief 2010.
The series lasted for three series. Click the links below for more detailed information about the episodes.
In addition to the main series, the cast also took part in two charity specials; one for Children in Need 2008 and one for Sport Relief 2010.
Media
We have an extensive media library for Ashes to Ashes.
We have an extensive media library for Ashes to Ashes.
Trivia
- The Audi Quattro used by Gene Hunt was not actually available for sale in the UK in 1981. He would have had to have ordered it from continental Europe, and even then it would probably have been left-hand drive. This is acknowledged in the extras, with speculation that Gene could have gotten the car as "a dodgy import".
- The police cars used in the show are Ford Granadas. The metropolitan (London) police did not use these cars - they used Rovers.
- The typeface used in the end credits are from a Commodore PET computer, which is also the same computer that is on DCI Hunt's desk.
- Ashes to Ashes reunited Philip with Life on Mars co-stars Dean Andrews and Marshall Lancaster as well as State of Play co-star Amelia Bullmore.
- Philip's wife, Beth Goddard, makes an appearance in the third series of Ashes. She stars in the second episode as Elaine Downing, the owner of a dating agency at the centre of a murder investigation. Keeley Hawes' husband, Matthew MacFadyen had previously starred in the show, in series 1 episode 7.
Locations
Ashes to Ashes was filmed on location in and around London. Some of the specific locations are as follows:
Fenchurch East Police Station: Office block on Christopher St, Islington. (map)
This building was used by the London Stock Exchange in the 1980's for administration purposes and is now empty awaiting redevelopment. The street is now home to a 'Boris Bike's' station.
Ashes to Ashes was filmed on location in and around London. Some of the specific locations are as follows:
Fenchurch East Police Station: Office block on Christopher St, Islington. (map)
This building was used by the London Stock Exchange in the 1980's for administration purposes and is now empty awaiting redevelopment. The street is now home to a 'Boris Bike's' station.
Exterior of Luigi's Trattoria & Alex's flat: 'Bar Nine' Restaurant/Wine Bar, Christopher St, Islington (map)
The restaurant used has now been closed and the exterior of the building has been altered as you can see from the images.
The restaurant used has now been closed and the exterior of the building has been altered as you can see from the images.
Thanks to Steve Wright and Ruth French for the photos.
Location of Hostage Siege (Episode 1x01): The Founder's Arms, South Bank (map)
Situated on the River Thames next to the Tate Modern Gallery and the Millennium Bridge, The Founders Arms has an unrivalled view, taking in some of the most iconic sights of the London skyline. It was used in the first episode of Ashes to Ashes as the place where Alex first meets Layton in 2008, when he takes several people hostage.
Situated on the River Thames next to the Tate Modern Gallery and the Millennium Bridge, The Founders Arms has an unrivalled view, taking in some of the most iconic sights of the London skyline. It was used in the first episode of Ashes to Ashes as the place where Alex first meets Layton in 2008, when he takes several people hostage.
Chas Cale's Restaurant (Episode 1x06): Tobacco Dock (map)
Built in the early 19th Century as a secure bonded warehouse for the receipt and storage of tobacco from the New World, Tobacco Dock was designed to offer complete security for precious and highly desirable goods. It is now a Grade 1 listed building. It has been used for several tv shows and music videos including, OMD's 'messages' and Channel 4 reality television show 'Shattered'. Several film première after-parties have also been held there. In the summer of 2012 Tobacco Dock was used as temporary accommodation for 2,500 soldiers deployed to guard the Olympic Games in London.
Built in the early 19th Century as a secure bonded warehouse for the receipt and storage of tobacco from the New World, Tobacco Dock was designed to offer complete security for precious and highly desirable goods. It is now a Grade 1 listed building. It has been used for several tv shows and music videos including, OMD's 'messages' and Channel 4 reality television show 'Shattered'. Several film première after-parties have also been held there. In the summer of 2012 Tobacco Dock was used as temporary accommodation for 2,500 soldiers deployed to guard the Olympic Games in London.
Thanks to Debs Shaw for the photos.
King Douglas Lane (Episode 2x08): Bedford Row, Holborn (map)
Bedford Road is in the heart of London's legal district; it's a stone's throw away from the Royal Courts of Justice and the Family Court division of the High Court. It's a street which, in spite of some rebuilding, is among the best in London for the surviving buildings of the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The gate, which acts as gate to St Joseph's in the show, is actually the gate to The Honourable Society of Gray's Inn, which isn't a pub as one might expect, but one of four Court Inns, professional associations for barristers in England and Wales.
Bedford Road is in the heart of London's legal district; it's a stone's throw away from the Royal Courts of Justice and the Family Court division of the High Court. It's a street which, in spite of some rebuilding, is among the best in London for the surviving buildings of the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The gate, which acts as gate to St Joseph's in the show, is actually the gate to The Honourable Society of Gray's Inn, which isn't a pub as one might expect, but one of four Court Inns, professional associations for barristers in England and Wales.
Thanks to stansdardshigh for the photos
St Joseph's (Episode 2x08): St Dunstan-in-the-East (map)
This was originally a Church of England parish church on St Dunstan's Hill, half way between London Bridge and the Tower of London in the City of London. The church was largely destroyed in the Second World War and the ruins are now a public garden, having being designated a Grade I listed building on 4 January 1950.
This was originally a Church of England parish church on St Dunstan's Hill, half way between London Bridge and the Tower of London in the City of London. The church was largely destroyed in the Second World War and the ruins are now a public garden, having being designated a Grade I listed building on 4 January 1950.
Thanks to Ruth French for the photos.
Farringfield Green (Episode 3x08): Stockers Farm, near Rickmansworth (map)
Stockers Farm was used as the place where Alex discovered the truth about Gene Hunt. It was built in the mid 1700s and has been used in various films and TV shows including, Lewis, Black Beauty, Withnail & I, Midsummer Murders and Silent Witness.
Stockers Farm was used as the place where Alex discovered the truth about Gene Hunt. It was built in the mid 1700s and has been used in various films and TV shows including, Lewis, Black Beauty, Withnail & I, Midsummer Murders and Silent Witness.
Thanks to Lynda Bullock for the photos.
The Railway Arms (Episode 3x08): The Horseshoe Inn, London Bridge (map)
This pub is used as the exterior to the Railway Arms in the final episode of Ashes to Ashes.
This pub is used as the exterior to the Railway Arms in the final episode of Ashes to Ashes.
Thanks to Ruth French and standardshigh for the photos.