Category Archives: Life On Mars

IT looked like yet another quiet evening in with a tin of ‘oops and a Life On Mars DVD.
Then the postman delivered an invite to a night out with Gene Hunt.
“There’s no dress code,” the DCI explained on mug-stained North West District Police headed paper, “but try and make an effort, eh?
“The place will be packed with birds, so unless you’re a Catholic priest you might want to try and impress them.”
Continue reading →

“SAM. I appear to have killed a man…”
The penultimate episode of Life On Mars highlights a cast and crew working together as a team at the very top of their form.
Screened on BBC1 at 9pm this Tuesday, the mystery of why modern day detective Sam Tyler is in 1973 Manchester continues to unfold.
DCI Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister) is arrested for murder and asks Sam (John Simm) for help.
Continue reading →

IS television run by “a lot of fools”?
That’s the view of Life On Mars star Philip Glenister, who thinks television is “screwed up”.
In an interview with today’s Radio Times he also described reality shows as “sadistic” and said EastEnders was “up its own ****”.
You could be forgiven for thinking that Glenister had sent his no-nonsense Manchester cop DCI Gene Hunt along for the chat.
But he has always held strong views about the industry he works in and one he has known since an early age.
Continue reading →

IT has been a real joy to write about Life On Mars.
We all see things in different ways. But, for me, it’s one of the greatest TV dramas ever to grace the small screen.
There are now just three episodes left on BBC1 before fans finally discover how the series ends.
I’ve been lucky enough to see all three – including episode eight of this second and final series.
Continue reading →

THERE’S a cracking episode of Life On Mars to enjoy on BBC1 tonight as the final series reaches the half way mark.
Episode four is the one featuring the Cheshire wife-swapping party, Sam not wearing his leather jacket and the arrival of Tony and Cherie Blair.
It’s also the story which includes no fewer than three ex-Corrie actresses and one current Rovers regular.
Continue reading →

BIDDING has now started for the real star of Life On Mars.
Gene Hunt’s Ford Cortina has burned its last rubber in anger on the mean streets of 1973 Manchester.
Continue reading →

THE stars of top TV dramas get all the limelight. But they’re usually among the first to credit the production teams who bring them to the screen.
Read the closing titles for Life On Mars and you’ll realise just what a team effort the BBC1 hit is.
So there was much sadness when stunt co-ordinator Peter Brayham died in December.
Continue reading →

A man walked up to Liz White when she was on location filming Life On Mars in Manchester.
“Tell that Gene Hunt he’s got it spot on,” the bystander informed her. “I was a policeman in Manchester in 1973 and that’s exactly what it was like.”
Continue reading →

THAT would be the Camberwick Green episode in the new series of Life On Mars.
The freeze frame button on my remote is worn out after watching episode five, which sees Sam Tyler tripping the light fantastic.
Among Sam’s white light visions is a mystery face, possibly from his 1973 future. And wouldn’t you just know it, there’s something strange on the TV.
There are also plenty of potential clues for fans searching for the answer to the central mystery at the heart of the BBC1 series.
Continue reading →

LIFE On Mars star Philip Glenister confirmed tonight for the first time that he is set to return in sequel Ashes To Ashes.
Appearing as a guest on BBC Radio 4′s Loose Ends, he was asked if it was true that the Gene Genie would appear again in the new project, set in the 1980s.
Continue reading →