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Season 1 – Ashes to Ashes

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Ashes to Ashes Feb 2008 Crime Drama Action Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
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83% Tomatometer 12 Reviews 97% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
A modern-day detective finds herself solving crimes in the early 1980s.
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Ashes to Ashes — Season 1

Ashes to Ashes — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

Its period setting and twisty plots help make Ashes to Ashes an enjoyable watch, even if its premise varies only slightly from its predecessor, Life on Mars.

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Critics Reviews

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Brian Tallerico HollywoodChicago.com 03/07/2009
5/5
This may be the most pleasant surprise TV fans will get all year. Go to Full Review Robert Lloyd Los Angeles Times 03/07/2009
It's quite enjoyable. Go to Full Review Zack Handlen AV Club 03/07/2009
B
By and large, Ashes seems to be following the standard sequel template--do what the original did, only just different enough that people can pretend what we're seeing is new. Go to Full Review Paul F. Montgomery Philadelphia Weekly 03/17/2009
B+
It's a heady time warp story, often cold and harrowing, but the tongue-in-cheek period-setting levels it out. Go to Full Review Cindy White IGN Movies 03/12/2009
8.5/10
The creators of Life on Mars, Mathew Graham and Ashley Pharoah, are still in top form. Go to Full Review Melissa Camacho Common Sense Media 02/07/2009
4/5
It successfully meshes poignant moments and subtle humor by combining the realities of 1980s British politics with the colorful glam culture the decade was known for. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Michael C @Megamanic Jan 2 How you enjoy this compared to "Life on Mars" depends on how well you remember the respective eras. I was a teenager in 1981 so I remember the year far better than 1973-4. The Season 1 story hangs together far better than Ashes to Ashes in my opinion. The novelty has been lost because we got some idea of what was happening to Sam Tyler in Life on Mars which limits what the writers could do. The fact that the Modern character (Keely Hawes) interacts with her parents is satisfying and provides a far more obvious dramatic arc with a very clear deadline. There are a number of brilliant plot twists that make the series well worth watching through to the end. See more M B Jun 11 Excellent sequel/spin off to Life on Mars! Same concept but set in the 80s with Keeley Hawes! Fantastic! See more 05/07/2022 Excellent follow up to the UK Life on Mars. Weirdly in the US, BBC America only showed the first two seasons. Character interaction, witty dialogue, period sets, and brilliant acting make this a joy to watch. The soundtrack, sold by BBC on CDs, is a road-trip staple interspersed with bits of show amidst the tunes. See more 08/08/2021 Keeley Hawes was enchanting. Interesting premise. Authentic 80s. See more 06/18/2021 A very enjoyable series, a great follow up to 'Life on Mars'. It manages to capture the spirit of the previous series, but without making it a direct copy. I would definitely recommend (although you need to watch 'Life on Mars' first). See more 11/16/2018 Great show, love the interaction between Alex and Hunt as well as the team. One of my favorit shows. See more Read all reviews
Ashes to Ashes — Season 1

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Matthew Graham

Creator

Ashley Pharaoh

Creator

Philip Glenister

Gene Hunt

Keeley Hawes

Alex Drake

Dean Andrews

Ray Carling

Marshall Lancaster

Chris Skelton

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Feb 7, 2008 Deja Vu DI Alex Drake is shot and lands in 1981, coming face to face with Gene Hunt, the relic of old-fashioned policing she had read about in Sam Tyler's reports. Details Episode 2 Aired Feb 14, 2008 The Happy Day CID is under pressure to keep the streets quiet as the royal wedding day approaches. Details Episode 3 Aired Feb 21, 2008 Nothing Changes A prostitute complains of rape and Alex has a tough time convincing Gene to take the case seriously. Details Episode 4 Aired Feb 28, 2008 The Missing Link CID uncover a plot to sell nuclear secrets to the Revolutionary Workers Front. Details Episode 5 Aired Mar 6, 2008 The Smoking Gun Gene and Alex are on the trail of Simon Neary, a pimp and drug dealer. Details Episode 6 Aired Mar 13, 2008 Over the Hill Alex thinks she is close to death and needs to keep her brain alive by solving a case -- a raid at the post office. Details Episode 7 Aired Mar 20, 2008 Charity Begins at Home Alex and Gene investigate a man suspected of stealing money raised for charity. Details Episode 8 Aired Mar 27, 2008 Alex's Big Day Alex believes if she can prevent the death of her parents then she can leave 1981. Details

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Ashes to Ashes — Season 1

Ashes to Ashes Ashes to Ashes Ashes to Ashes View more photos

Season Info

Director
Johnny Campbell, Bille Eltringham, Catherine Morshead
Creator
Matthew Graham, Ashley Pharaoh
Executive Producer
Matthew Graham, Jane Featherstone, Simon Crawford-Collins, Piers Wenger
Screenwriter
Matthew Graham, Ashley Pharaoh, Mick Ford, Mark Greig, Julie Rutterford
Network
BBC
Genre
Crime, Drama, Action, Adventure
Original Language
British English
Release Date
Feb 7, 2008