Ashes to Ashes

I find it amazing how Matthew Graham and Ashley Pharoah have managed to pull off this series. After so much scrutiny from the public before it's release, it was sure to have cringworthy moments and scenes that cloned Life on Mars. But instead they adapt characteristics and settings to that of the early 80's (which after all is why we watch the show), with great ease and you really do get the idea that time has carried on in the years between the two series, rather than it just being a clone of the previous.

The main differences are of course in the settings, the town and decade, but also in the character progression of Gene, Ray and Chris and the introduction of Alex Drake, the tormented but very different and witty, sophisticated main character. Keeley Hawes creates a sarcastic reaction to Alex's new surroundings which is almost a refreshing change from the intense nature of Sam Tyler. Once again, Phillip Glenister begins the series with a bang: "Tonight, my friend, your diary entry will read, 'Took a prozzie hostage and was shot by three armed bast***s." Welcome back everyone.

I have been having a marathon of great British dramas as of late.

I find this series, in some cases, better than Life on Mars. I do believe a lot of it is likely biased, considering I'm an 80s girl, and love the music of the era, but the story and characters are still strong!

Some of Gene Hunt's one liners goes over my head. Likely due to the fact I'm not British.

Still... Give it a go!

People will always compare a sequel to its predecessor, sometimes rightly so, but this time they would be wrong. Life on Mars was new and unique. The story of policeman trapped in his own imagination that kept you guessing until the end as to whether this world was real or not. This is a similar idea with a twist. At the start Drake comes across as arrogant and very self assured of her policing and psychological skills but as the series progresses you can see the cracks appearing. Ashes to Ashes isn't so much a sequel as more a clever rewrite. I recommend people ignore the hype and hysteria of the media and judge for yourself.

The tone is a little more ironic and colourful than Life on Mars, which might upset a few of the predecessor's fans. But those few will always be upset, and this show is incredibly worth it.

Alex, because she knows that she's most likely in a coma (having had Sam's tapes) is herself taking the whole scenario a little less seriously - and so should we. This show is brilliant in the way that it has fun with itself. In the first episode, there is one shot of Ray, Gene and Chris on a speedboat to the sound of No More Heroes, by the Stranglers. Ray has a close up where he is sort of half smiling, and the whole thing is so unapologetically 80's, with the right sense of self awareness. The opening credits, too, let you know that you should be having fun with this show.

As long as you're not looking for the same tone and style as Life on Mars (remember, this is a show about being in an 80s cop show, not a show about being in a 70's cop show), this is a brilliant show.

Ten years on since Ashes to Ashes finished, and I think looking back on it, I've found a new appreciation for the show, that I perhaps lacked a little during its original transmission.

I have to say I prefer Life on Mars, maybe it's the originality of the concept, or the harshness of the era, still Ashes to Ashes has a lot going for it.

Great direction, great stories, great visuals, and some wonderful actors, some very memorable moments, who will ever forget the first meeting, with Vienna blasting out, or that surprising final episode?

It's great from the off, if I'm honest the third series is my personal favourite, I thought the show got better as time went on, climaxing in an incredible last episode.

Gene Hunt, the man who often steals the show, Glenister is wonderful again, almost upstaged by his beautiful Audi Quattro. Hawes, as always can do no wrong, what a talent she is.

It was almost Game Over, but one final roll of the dice awaits, as Life on Mars is set to return for one last run.

Glorious. 9/10.