This peculiar sci-fi drama combined elements of Lost, Doctor Who,

and police dramas, leaving viewers to ponder whether Sam Tyler had

time-travelled, died, or was merely in a coma.

The innovative series, conceived by Matthew Graham and Ashley Pharaoh,

led to a spin-off titled Ashes to Ashes in 2008. The spin-off ended after three seasons in 2010, leaving fans yearning for more adventures with Gene Hunt as he assisted people in limbo.

A third show, Lazarus, named after another David Bowie song, was in development for several years and was set to conclude the story of Gene Hunt and Sam Tyler. Unfortunately, series creator Matthew Graham announced in June 2023 that the project had effectively been cancelled, but fans were treated to a sneak peek of the opening episode at a live script reading.

The Manchester Evening News reports most of the cast members have gone on to have successful TV careers, while one actor left the industry to run his own construction company. Here’s what the cast of Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes are doing now.

John Simm – DCI Sam Tyler

John Simms (left) with co-star and good friend Phil Glenister (right) for ITV show DNA Journey

DCI Sam Tyler found himself inexplicably in 1970s Manchester in Life on Mars, leading viewers to speculate whether he time-travelled, was he dead, or simply in a coma?

Life on Mars catapulted John Simm to stardom and set the stage for his subsequent role as the villainous Master in BBC’s Doctor Who, where he squared off against David Tennant. Later, he re-joined the Whovian universe during Peter Capaldi’s tenure.

His television career didn’t just peak there – Simm has been featured in numerous acclaimed TV series including Mad Dogs, Strangers, Cold Storage, The Lakes, and State of Play. His silver screen appearances include noteworthy films such as Human Traffic, Devilwood, and Skellig.

Simm currently leads as DSU Roy Grace in the hit ITV drama Grace, which recently aired its third season.

On a personal note, alongside Philip Glenister on’DNA Journey, Simm unearthed a family secret. He unexpectedly discovered that Ronald Simm wasnt his biological father, but rather a man named Terry Smith, who had sadly passed on yet shared a history in the same working mens clubs with Ronald.

Reflecting on the discovery, Simm shared: “It’s turned out to be such a massive thing in my life and all I was doing was a favour for Phil so he didn’t have to do it on his own. It’s spun my world… everything I thought I knew wasn’t real.”