Latest News

The Return of Gene Hunt?

1/4/2020

Tonight, during a live-tweeting rewatch of Life on Mars S1, Ep 1, co-creators Matthew Graham and Ashely Pharoah confirmed that they will be revisiting the Life on Mars/Ashes to Ashes universe in a "Final Chapter" to the franchise.

"We would never make another Mars unless we really had something to say and could push the envelope all over again. Finally we have something," Graham promised.

In a series of tweets, he teased a few details for the upcoming show, including

They’re envisaging 4 or 5 episodes
It will be set in Manchester and London
It will visit the 70s, 80s and an alternate now
There will be appearances from the Ford Cortina, Audi Quattro & a Chinese wall of cardboard boxes.
DCI Litton will return
Keats will very probably return
They want to get as many returning characters from both shows as possible

There’s no time frame for this, so watch this space for further information.

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Want to own the Quattro from Ashes to Ashes? Well now you can!

6/11/2014

In order to raise money for this years Children in Need appeal, the BBC are auctioning off the Audi Quattro that featured in Philip's hit 80's drama, Ashes to Ashes.

This is an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a genuine piece of TV history - the original Audi Quattro used in all three series of the hit BBC drama Ashes to Ashes. The iconic red motor is also signed under the bonnet by Philip Glenister, who played its short-tempered owner, DCI Gene Hunt. This autumn, the Quattro was given a fresh MOT and a makeover. But she’s a former TV action vehicle and still has a number of battle scars from the exciting life she has led.

So, fire up your wallets if you want to fire up the Quattro, bidders!

Details:

Red 1983 Audi Quattro
2144cc Turbo charged WR Engine
Four-wheel (4x4) drive
Freshly painted and with new MOT

The Audi Quattro has been donated by the BBC and lovingly restored by Audi. BBC Children in Need or Audi do not accept any responsibility for the car and can not offer any warranty or guarantee. All the images which feature were taken at the end of October 2014. The logistics of collecting the car must be agreed by all parties.

Every single penny raised by the auction will go towards making a positive difference to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people right here in the UK. To bid, visit the Quattro's ebay page.

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Gene Hunt places 3rd in Britain's Favourite Dectective poll

20/4/2014

Philip's iconic character, DCI Gene Hunt has come third in a Channel Five poll to find Britain's favourite detective, alongside his 70s sidekick, Sam Tyler.

Gene, who appeared in both Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes, beat legendary detectives such as Hercule Poirot (David Suchet), Inspector Morse (John Thaw) and Jack Frost (David Jason) to claim the third spot. He was only beaten by Columbo and Sherlock.

As one of the contributors said, "In DCI Gene Hunt, without doubt you have got one of the greatest, the most memorable TV Detectives ever."

The full top ten was as follows:

10. DCI Tom Barnaby (Midsummer Murders)
9. Miss Marple (Agatha Christie's Marple)
8. DI Jack Frost (A Touch of Frost)
7. Jonathan Creek (Jonathan Creek)
6. DI Alec Hardy (Broadchurch)
5. Inspector Morse (Morse)
4. Hercule Poriot (Agatha Chrisite's Poirot)
3. Gene Hunt and Sam Tyler (Life on Mars)
2. Columbo (Columbo)
1. Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock)

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Life on Mars to be repeated in the UK

14/11/2013

Sony Entertainment Television have today announced that they will be repeating Life on Mars.

The show, in which DCI Sam Tyler (John Simm) is knocked down by a car and wakes up in 1973, was a massive hit when it first aired on BBC One back in 2006 and is considered by some to be Philip's "big break". He plays Sam's boss, Gene Hunt; a politically incorrect, brutal, misogynistic Detective Chief Inspector.

Watch the trailer below!

The series will begin on Wednesday 27th November at 10pm on Sony Entertainment Television (Sky ch 157, Virgin ch 193) and will air on the +1 channel (Sky ch 181) an hour later.

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Life on Mars features in BBC's TV's Top 10 Endings

28/9/2013

In anticipation of the series finale of US drama 'Breaking Bad', the BBC have published a feature showcasing some of the shows that got their dying moments right, and the ones that failed spectacularly.

Life on Mars is one of the shows mentioned in the feature and here's what the BBC had to say that incredibly memorable ending. (Note: It probably doesn't need saying, but if you've still not seen the ending, don't read on!)

After an accident, modern-day detective Sam Tyler (John Simm) woke up in 1973, when men were men, and men were also sexist alcoholics in bad trousers.

Over two series, viewers were left to wonder whether his predicament was real, or a fitful by-product of his coma. In the final episode, Sam learned that corrupt cop Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister) was the "tumour" in his brain. If he could get rid of Hunt, he could go home. The operation (get it?) was nearly over.

Then, he was told the exact opposite: He really was in 1973, and suffering from amnesia after a car crash.

Eventually, the "real" Sam woke up in a hospital in 2006 - but the writers had one final twist in store. He decided he preferred the 70s after all, and jumped off the hospital roof, sending himself back into a coma, and back into the arms of his dream girl, Annie.

The Guardian called it "the perfect finale" but the Express declared the "shaggy dog story" was ultimately "baffling".

Still, it fared better than the short-lived US remake, where Sam turned out to be an astronaut on the first manned mission to Mars, trapped in a malfunctioning hibernation chamber.

It's not the first time that the ending of Life on Mars has been highlighted; in 2008 it was voted the #1 TV ending beating the likes of Only Fools and Horses, One Foot in the Grave, Frasier and many more.

But, 6 years on, what do you think of the ending to Life on Mars? Would you have done it differently? Tell us how below.

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Gene Hunt finishes 4th in TV detective poll

19/8/2013

A recent CultboxTV poll asked people to vote for British TV's best detective of the 21st century so far (from shows which began after 2000).

Well, the results are in and we are pleased to announce that DCI Gene Hunt, portrayed by Philip Glenister, finished in 4th place. It's good to see the Manc Lion hasn't been forgotten now that Ashes to Ashes has finished.

The full results are as follows:

Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock) - 52.6%
Endeavour Morse (Endeavour) - 15.4%
Madame Vastra (Doctor Who) - 15.1%
Gene Hunt (Ashes to Ashes/Life on Mars) - 5.3%
John Luther (Luther) - 4.6%
Christopher Foyle (Foyle's War) - 1.7%
Ellie Miller (Broadchurch) - 1.4%
Robbie Lewis (Lewis) - 1.2%
Sandra Pullman (New Tricks) - 0.9%
Stella Gibson (The Fall) - 0.7%
Peter Boyd (Waking the Dead) - 0.6%
Rachel Bailey (Scott & Bailey) - 0.4%

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Welcome to PhilipGlenisterFans, the original and largest online resource dedicated to British actor Philip Glenister best known for his role as DCI Gene Hunt in the BBC dramas Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes.

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The Return of Gene Hunt?

Want to own the Quattro from Ashes to Ashes? Well now you can!

Gene Hunt places 3rd in Britain's Favourite Dectective poll

Life on Mars to be repeated in the UK

Life on Mars features in BBC's TV's Top 10 Endings

Gene Hunt finishes 4th in TV detective poll

Current Projects

Philip's Charities

Site Information

Affiliates

Fan Donations

Categories

Archives

The Return of Gene Hunt?

Want to own the Quattro from Ashes to Ashes? Well now you can!

Gene Hunt places 3rd in Britain's Favourite Dectective poll

Life on Mars to be repeated in the UK

Life on Mars features in BBC's TV's Top 10 Endings

Gene Hunt finishes 4th in TV detective poll

Current Projects

﻿Philip's Charities

Site Information

Affiliates

Fan Donations

Categories

Archives

Philip's Charities