philip glenister

Ashes To Ashes: Final Episode Photos

Alex and Gene in a photo from earlier in this final series

HERE are the BBC photos released ahead of the final episode of Ashes To Ashes.

Not including the image above, which is from earlier in the series.

The pics don’t give away any major clues to the “bigger picture” revealed in episode eight – to be broadcast on BBC1 a week on Friday.

But if you’re avoiding spoilers of any kind ahead of eps 7 & 8, please do NOT click to open this blog or scroll down any further if you’re arrived straight on to the full page.

My blog on the last ever episode of Ashes will be published next week.

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Ashes To Ashes: The Final Curtain

Farewell

“HAVE you ever had the feeling that things are falling apart and the world as you know it is about to end?

“And nothing will ever be the same?”

Ashes To Ashes final series episode seven.

A two-part finale, with episode eight carrying the story on from where we leave it at the end of this hour.

Written by Ashes co-creator Ashley Pharoah, the penultimate visit to Fenchurch East is an absolute cracker.

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Ashes To Ashes: The Riot

Jim Keats goes inside

“DON’T you want to know the secret?”

“I’ll tell you…”

There’s a riot in Fenchurch Prison in Ashes To Ashes final series episode six.

Written by James Payne, this is a dark, brooding and increasingly disturbing hour as we tumble towards the final two episodes.

Including a tantalising glimpse of a scene from episode eight and more clues about what it all may mean.

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Ashes To Ashes: Keeley Hawes Extras

Keeley Hawes as Alex Drake

IT’S one of my abiding memories of Ashes To Ashes.

The sound of Keeley Hawes’ laughter in the corridor leading to the set in a former London biscuit factory.

I interviewed Ms Hawes for ITV’s The Blonde Bombshell way back in 1999.

The first of several encounters including, of course, her time as Zoe Reynolds in Spooks.

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Ashes To Ashes: Leap Of Faith

Just who is Gene Hunt?

“WHATEVER you think it is you’re looking for, forget it. It doesn’t exist.

“Sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith.”

The pipes are calling in Ashes To Ashes final series episode five.

Perhaps my favourite hour so far as Mars meets Ashes and we turn a corner into the final straight.

Written by Tom Butterworth and Chris Hurford, it features the glorious return of Det Chief Insp Derek Litton (Lee Ross).

Or as Gene Hunt calls him: “Detective Chief Inspector ******* Litton.”

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Ashes To Ashes: Moving Closer

Daniel Mays as Jim Keats

“EVERYTHING has a pattern and a pattern to everything.

“Find the connections. Find a way out of this.”

Alex’s notepad is back in Ashes To Ashes final series episode four.

Along with even more clues to the bigger picture as we reach the halfway stage of this epic farewell.

First a declaration. I’ve already seen the episode after this one and my brain is still racing.

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Ashes To Ashes: Into The Fire

Dean Andrews as Ray Carling

GOD is in the detail.

The eve of the 1983 General Election and an arsonist is on the loose in London.

Could “the great handbag” herself be a target?

Mrs Thatcher takes on Michael Foot all over again in the wake of the Falklands War for Ashes To Ashes final series episode three.

As DI Ray Carling (Dean Andrews) walks into the fire.

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Ashes To Ashes: Make A Date

Montserrat Lombard as Shaz
“TIME is running out.”

Shaz is very much out of sorts in Ashes To Ashes final series episode two.

Written by Ashley Pharoah, it further lifts the curtain on what appears will form part of the Ashes and Mars conclusion.

Two moments in particular left the hairs on the back of my neck standing up like never before.

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Ashes To Ashes: I’ll Be Watching You

Daniel Mays as DCI Jim Keats

“AS a massive fan, it’s been great to be such an important part of it all.”

Daniel Mays arrives as DCI Jim Keats in the first episode of the final series of Ashes To Ashes this Friday night.

Will Gene Hunt’s (Philip Glenister) world ever be the same again?

I interviewed Danny on the Ashes set for a feature to be published in the MEN on Friday.

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Ashes To Ashes: Philip Glenister Extras

What can it all mean? Philip and Keeley as Gene and Alex

NOW, where were we?

The final series of Ashes To Ashes begins on BBC1 at 9pm on Good Friday.

I’ve seen preview DVDs of the first two episodes and can say without a shadow of a doubt that Ashes has upped its game.

And how.

With quite brilliant performances from Philip Glenister, Keeley Hawes and the rest of CID.

Plus the truly exceptional Danny Mays as Jim Keats.

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