Although John Simm's performance held it all together, the standout character in 'Life on Mars' was often Gene Hunt played by Philip Glenister, so it was no surprise that the BBC wanted to do something else with the character once 'Mars' ended.
What that 'something else' ended up being was 'Ashes to Ashes' a spin-off/sequel that sees another police officer (Keeley Hawes this time) being shot and ending up in the past (this time the 80's).
With all these similarities it's not surprising that the show received some negative press that it was all just a rehash of 'Mars', but there is a lot to like here in a fab first episode.
What that 'something else' ended up being was 'Ashes to Ashes' a spin-off/sequel that sees another police officer (Keeley Hawes this time) being shot and ending up in the past (this time the 80's).
With all these similarities it's not surprising that the show received some negative press that it was all just a rehash of 'Mars', but there is a lot to like here in a fab first episode.