Ashes to Ashes cast - Dean Andrews (DS Ray Carling), Keeley Hawes (DI Alex Drake), Philip Glenister (DCI Gene Hunt), Montserrat Lombard (WPC Sharon "Shaz" Granger) and Marshall Lancaster (DC Chris Skelton). Photo copyright of the BBC.
BBC America's Ashes to Ashes, the critically acclaimed sequel to the UK hit Life on Mars, continues by fast forwarding a year to 1982, where leg warmers are cool and fluorescent is the color of choice. While Thatcher is in her element at No. 10 Downing Street, bullish Detective Chief Inspector Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister, Cranford,Life on Mars) is back, policing the streets in his politically incorrect and foul-mouthed style.
Season two of Ashes to Ashes premieres Tuesday, May 11th @ 10:00 p.m. EST/PST on BBC America. Sassy Detective Inspector Alex Drake (Keeley Hawes) continues her fiery relationship with Hunt, and though no nearer to getting back to her daughter, Alex believes she's suspended in time and finally understands how the world around her works. But when she starts hearing news from the future, she realizes nothing is as it seems. Clinging on to fast fading hope, she discovers she may mot be alone in her predicament. A mysterious stranger who also seems to be stuck in 1982 is making Alex doubt her current world is merely a figment of her imagination. Is he a friend who can help her get home, or a foe who will destroy all she knows?
And while Gene Hunt saved her younger self from the car bomb that killed her parents, can she ever trust him enough to share in her extraordinary scenario? As she struggles to stay alive long enough to find a way home, it appears she needs him more than ever before. "Alex becomes much more part of the team," explains Philip Glenister. "But there is a police corruption theme running throughout the season, so it does feel darker than season one; the corruption breeds a lack of trust and coherence which is unbalancing for everybody. However, viewers can still expect moments of high campiness and there are some great one-liners."
DC Chris Skelton (Marshall Lancaster, Life on Mars) and WPC Sharon "Shaz" Granger (Montserrat Lomboard) couldn't be happier. He's still trying his best to be the perfect 'Feminist" boyfriend and wants to take their relationship to the next level, but predictably DS Ray Carling (Dean Andrews, Life on Mars) continues to tease him about his romantic gestures. Ray is also struggling to contain his emotions about the Falklands War,blaming the "Argies" and throwing his weight fully behind Maggie Thatcher. However, more testing times lie ahead for the trio.
Producer Beth Willis says, "The new season of Ashes to Ashes movies in a slightly different direction and we've really enjoyed developing the characters and Alex's journey further. Her and Gene's relationship is so complex; it is very sparky and they obviously care for each other in a begrudging manner, so it's interesting to see how this evolves. Ray and Chris are still by Gene's side, but when police force legend Detective Superintendent "Supermac" Mackintosh (Roger Allam, The Queen, V for Vendetta) starts working with the team it looks as if Gene's equilibrium could be broken."
The arrival of "Supermac" seems like a blessing to the team because he's been hailed as a star within the force and someone not to be messed with. However, it's not long before Gene's gut instinct tells him something isn't quite right. Could this cop legend be up to no good?"
As noted above, photo copyright of the BBC, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!
