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Ashes to Ashes 2008

★ 7.7/10 · 117 votes TV-14 CrimeSci-Fi & FantasyAction & AdventureDrama 3 seasons · 24 eps Ended
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Quick answer

What is Ashes to Ashes?

Ashes to Ashes is a crime drama television series that features the character DCI Gene Hunt. The program serves as a follow-up to the series Life on Mars.

Type
TV series
Year
2008
Status
Ended
Episodes
24
Runtime
60 minutes
First aired
Feb 7, 2008
Last aired
May 21, 2010
Original language
EN
Origin
GB
Networks
BBC One
Genres
Crime, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Drama
Updated
Availability by region

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Estimate the schedule using 24 episodes and an average 60-minute runtime.

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Overview

Ashes to Ashes is a crime drama television series that features the character DCI Gene Hunt. The program serves as a follow-up to the series Life on Mars. The narrative begins when DI Alex Drake is shot in 2008. Following this incident, she finds herself transported to the year 1981. Upon her arrival in this past setting, she discovers that she is in familiar company. The show explores the experiences of DI Alex Drake as she navigates this new environment while interacting with DCI Gene Hunt and his team. The series focuses on the intersection of the characters' lives and the circumstances surrounding Drake's displacement in time. By placing a contemporary investigator into the early 1980s, the show examines the professional and personal dynamics between the main characters. The premise centers on the transition of the protagonist from her original time period to the historical setting of 1981, where the events of the drama unfold.

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Should you watch it?

“A modern detective is thrust back to 1981, teaming with legendary DCI Gene Hunt.”

Reasons to watch
  • Stylish 80s setting
  • Sharp blend of crime and sci‑fi
  • Charismatic performance by DCI Gene Hunt
Keep in mind
  • Complex time‑travel premise may confuse casual viewers
  • TV‑14 rating includes mature themes

Watch it if you enjoy gritty police dramas with a retro twist and sci‑fi elements.

The series features mature language and violence, making it suitable for older teens and adults.

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Episode guide

Season 1 · 8 episodes
Season 2 · 8 episodes
Season 3 · 8 episodes

Frequently asked questions

What is the premise of Ashes to Ashes?

DI Alex Drake, shot in 2008, awakens in 1981 and works alongside DCI Gene Hunt solving crimes.

Is Ashes to Ashes connected to Life on Mars?

Yes, it shares the character DCI Gene Hunt and continues the same fictional universe.

What genres does the series combine?

It mixes crime drama with sci‑fi/fantasy, action‑adventure, and dramatic elements.

What is the series' content rating?

The show is rated TV‑14.

When did Ashes to Ashes first air?

The series debuted in 2008.