With the first series of Ashes to Ashes rating so well, the BBC has commissioned a second series to air on BBC One in 2009. Made by Kudos Film and Television, the fantasy drama has averaged well over 6.5 million viewers per episode. The first episode alone achieved audience figures of more than eight million.

Ashes to Ashes stars DCI Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister) and DI Alex Drake (Keeley Hawes). As in the original series Life on Mars, upon which Ashes to Ashes is based, the main character wakes up in the past after being injured in the present.

DI Drake, a forensic psychologist, is shot in 2008 and wakes up in 1981. Since she has studied Sam Tyler's medical notes, the main character from Life on Mars, she decides she too is in a coma, either a second away from life or a second away from death.

Just as Life on Mars played with the fashion, attitudes and music of the 70s, Ashes to Ashes has an equally entertaining time with the fashion, attitudes and music of the 80s.

"The Eighties have had a real revival over the past few months," said Simon Crawford-Collins, Executive Producer and Head of Drama at Kudos, "Ashes To Ashes seems to have captured the imagination of the nation."

Look out for an evil looking David Bowie style clown and DCI Gene Hunt's manic driving and dramatic posing. Luckily the new show hasn't lost its sense of humour.

The rest of the cast from Life on Mars returned for Ashes to Ashes, including Chris Skelton (Marshall Lancaster) and Ray Carling (Dean Andrews), transferring from Manchester to the Metropolitan Police in London.

Plot details for the second series are hard to come by, which is not surprising since the current series has only just finished being broadcast in the UK.

"I'm sure viewers will be desperate to know who's back in the second series, but for now they'll just have to tune into the last episode of series one to find out," said Crawford-Collins.

He promised there would be more fun for fans of the "Gene Genie".

Julie Gardner, BBC Wales Head of Drama, who commissioned the second series, said "The series epitomises all that is great about BBC drama with its bold, confident storytelling and great characters."

The final episode of the first series aired on BBC One on 27 March. Filming of series two begins in the UK summer and will be broadcast in 2009.

Life on Mars sequel Ashes to Ashes

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