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Life On MarsSeries 2

DRAMA

TX Date: 13February2007

Duration: 8x50minutes

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BBC website: bbc.co.uk/lifeonmars/

Introduction

Back, in the nick* of time.

“My name is Sam Tyler. I had an accident and woke up in 1973. So am I mad? In a coma? Or back in time? Maybe if I can work out the reason, I can get home…”

JohnSimmreturnsasthetime-travellingdetectiveinthishugelypopular,award-winningseries,whichhassoldto20countriesworldwide.Providingthehumour,andloveinterest,arePhilipGlenister,LizWhite,DeanAndrewsandMarshallLancasterasTyler’sSeventiescolleagues,whoareonlyjustgettingtogripswiththeDI’snew-fangledwaysofinvestigatingcrime.

ThefirstseriesofLife On Mars,whichregularlyattractedaudiencesofover7.5millionandplauditsfromabroadspectrumofcritics,wonBestDramaSeriesattheInternationalEmmyAwardsinNovember2006.Creator,writerandexecutiveproducer,MathewGraham,said:“WehavehadsuchafantasticresponsetoLife On Marsfromviewersandcriticsalikeandthisawardistheicingonthecake!WhenitwasannouncedI’msurethatSamTyler,GeneHuntandthegangweresplashingontheOldSpice,donningtheirflaresandopeningthePartySeven–celebratinginproper,Seventiesstyle!”

Series2seesthethrillingfinaleofthehitshowandviewerswillfinallylearnthetruthaboutSamTylerandhowhecametobestuckin1973.However,fanswillhavetokeepwatchinguntiltheendoftheseriesbeforetheirspeculativetheoriesarelaidtorest.

SaysJaneFeatherstone(Executiveproducer,andjointManagingDirectorofKudos,theproductioncompany):“Obviously,wewillnotberevealinginadvancewhateventuallyhappenstoSam,aswewouldn’twanttospoileveryone’senjoymentofthesecondhalfofhisstorywhentheywatchSeries2.Buttheycancertainlyexpectsomeshockingrevelationsalongtheway.Wehaveevenfilmedtwoendingsbecausewewanttokeepeveryoneguessinguntiltheveryend.”

ExecutiveproducerClaireParkercomments:“Theboysarebackwithakickandapunch!Series2ofLife On Marsisevendarkerandmoresurprisingthanbefore,andstillliberallysprinkledwithhumourandmoreofGeneHunt’s‘insightful’wordsofwisdom!

“Whatevertheaudiencethinkstheyknowwillbechallenged,andwewillcertainlystillwanttokeeptheaudienceguessing.TherewillbemorerevelationsthatwillhelpSamtoworkoutwhyheisin1973,buttherewillalsobesomeshockingsurprisesthatwillrockSam’sworld–bothin1973and2007.”

Series2hasattractedawealthoftalentedgueststars,suchasMarcWarren(Hustle),KevinMcNally(Pirates Of The Caribbean)andGeorgiaTaylor(Blackpool),queuinguptodontheirflaresandtravelbackto1973.

Samisslowlyadjustingtohisnewsurroundingsandseemstobetryingtofitintotheteam.ButDCIGeneHunt(PhilipGlenister)hashadnosuchchangeofheartandisstillasbrashandhardonSamasever,lambastinghiscontinual‘by-the-book’approachtoproceduresandinsistentthattheysticktofollowinghisgutinstinctwhenitcomestocatchingcriminals.

Gene’smaverickmethodsarecloselyobservedbyhisprotégé,DSRayCarling(DeanAndrews),andeagertopleaseDCChrisSkelton(MarshallLancaster).WPCAnnieCartwright(LizWhite)remainstheonlysanevoiceinSam’smixed-upworld.However,sheisintentonprovingthatsheisnotjustaprettyfaceandiskeentoshowshecancutitjustaswellastheboys.



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Introduction continued…/2

Gene’sdesiretoridManchesterofcriminalscumisasstrongasever;nevermoresothannow,ashismentor,SuperintendentWoolf(KevinMcNally),isbackatthestation.However,Samisastonishedtofindthathisownmentorandinspiration,ChiefInspectorGlennFletcher(EmmetBrown,Outlaws)hasalsojoinedtheteam–althoughheisjustafresh-faced,newrecruitin1973,dealingwiththeextrapressureoftheracistattitudesofhisnewcolleagues.

MarcWarrengueststarsasTonyCrane,anotherghostfromSam’s‘futurepast’.Craneisasleazycasinoownerwhorunsalineincounterfeitcash.

It’snotuntilSamrecognisesthedangerthatCrane’sgirlfriendEve(YasminBannerman)isin,thatherealisestheurgencyofbangingtheslipperysuspecttorights.ButhefacesthetoughjobofconvincingDCIHuntthey’vegottherightman.

•‘nick’,inEnglishslang,isanotherwordforprison,andtheexpression“you’renicked”,issometimesusedbypoliceofficerswhenmakinganarrest.



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Regular Cast List

DISamTyler.........................................John SimmSex Traffic, State of Play, The Lakes DCIGeneHunt...................................Philip GlenisterKingdom of Heaven, Clocking Off, Byron, Vincent WPCAnnieCartwright....................Liz White Vera Drake, A Thing Called Love, A&E DSRayCarling...................................Dean AndrewsBetween the Sheets, My Summer of Love DCChrisSkelton...............................Marshall LancasterClocking Off, Bob Martin, Family AffairsWPCPhyllisDobbs..........................Noreen KershawPeak PracticeNelson....................................................Tony Marshall Preston Front

Formoreinformation,seeCastInterviews



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Cast List

Guest Stars

TonyCrane(Ep1)..............................Marc WarrenHustle, The ViceEveOlawi(Ep1).................................Yasmin BannermanMerseyBeat, Cold Feet, 55 Degrees North

SuptHarryWoolf(Ep2)..................Kevin R McNallyPirates Of The Caribbean, Dad DCGlennFletcher(Ep2)...............Ray Emmett BrownOutlaws

PatrickO’Brien(Ep3).......................Brendan MackeyTouching TheVoid, Holy Cross

DeniseWilliams(Ep4).....................Georgia Taylor Blackpool, Coronation StreetCarolTwilling(Ep4)...........................Eva PopeBad Girls, Sorted, Strictly ConfidentialRogerTwilling(Ep4).........................Nicholas Palliser Bodies, Sherlock Holmes/Silk Stocking

SimonLamb(Ep5)............................Reece DinsdaleConviction, Thief-Takers, I.D.

ToolboxTerry(Ep6)...........................Ian Puleston-DaviesConviction, My Beautiful SonLayla(Ep6)..........................................Alex ReidUltimate ForceRavi(Ep6)............................................Paul SharmaChildren of Men, Roger Roger

DavieMackay(Ep7).........................Kieran O’BrienNine Songs, 24 Hour Party People, Goal!InspectorMorgan(Eps7&8)........Ralph Brown Withnail And I, Alien3, Star Wars/Phantom Menace

Formoreinformation,seeEpisodeGuestStars



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Production Credits

Creators Matthew Graham Hustle Spooks Tony Jordan Hustle, EastEnders Ashley Pharoah Under The Greenwood Tree, City Central

Writers Episodes1,5&8 Matthew GrahamEpisode2 Chris Chibnall Episode3 Julie RutterfordHustle, TeachersEpisode4 Ashley PharoahUnder The Greenwood Tree, City CentralEpisode6 Guy JenkinThe Private Life Of Samuel Pepys, Drop The Dead DonkeyEpisode7 Mark Greig Afterlife, The Inspector Lynley Mysteries

Directors Episodes1,2,7&8 SJ ClarksonFootballers’ Wives Episodes3&4 Richard ClarkEpisodes5&6 Andrew Gunn

Producer Cameron Roach Footballers’ Wives

ExecutiveProducers Jane Featherstone Claire Parker Matthew Graham

AKudosFilmandTelevisionproductionforBBC

Formoreinformation,seeBehindTheScenesandProductionBiographies



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Series 2 Synopsis

EversinceDCISamTylerawoke,dazedfromacaraccident,withthehauntingchimesofDavidBowie’sinter-planetaryanthemringinginhisears,thingsfeltalittleoffkilter.About33yearsoffkilter.Washedead?Inacoma?Maybehe’djustlostafewofhismarbles.Surelyitcouldn’tbethathewasthebuttofsomecosmicprankthathassenthimbackto1973?ThroughthedistortedmessagesandvisionsSamperceived,hetriedtomakesenseofhislifeinanotherera.Whyhadhefoundhimselfthere?Topreventcrimesofthefuture?Orsolveafarmorepersonalmystery–oneembeddedintherecessesofhispsyche?InSeriesOne,Samconfrontedhismostdeeplyrepressedmemoriesabouthismurderousfather.Hefreedhimselffromtheguiltandfearsofhischildhoodatlast.

AndyetSamremainedlockedinthepast…

AswejoinhiminSeriesTwo,SamisclearlyestablishedinA-DivisionCID.Thoughwithinthisdepartment,apassionate,meticulous,modernpolicemanlikeSamremainsstarklyatoddswithhischain-smoking,bigoted,technologicallybackward,risiblycorruptanddangerouslyhairycolleagues.Andnonemoresothanhis‘Guv,’DCIGeneHunt,acoppercutfromwoodandbarelydiscerniblefromthesheriffsoftheWildWestheidolises.ButSamstrivestousehisknowledgeandthetechniquesofthefuturetosolvecrimesashewoulddointhepresent.Withnorationalexplanationforthcoming,hefindsineachinvestigationsomeunderstandingofthemysteryofhislife,somegradualacceptanceofhis1973existence.

Aswereachtheendoftheseries,messagesandvisionsSamhabituallyperceivesappeartolinkup,pointinginonedirection.Perhapsthevoiceshehearsaren’tthoseofdoctorsbyhiscomatoseformin2006.PerhapsSam’sjourneyhasmurkieroriginsthanheimagined.Certainly,itsdestinationwillchillSamtothecore.

Ifbeingtransferredtoanothererawerenotstrangeenough,Samhastonowconsiderwhetherthelifeheassumeshehasinventedhasrealfoundations,andthelifehedepartedcanstillbesoreadilytrusted…Ifso,howonearthisSamTylergoingtogetbackhome?Andwhere,andwhen,wouldthathomebe?



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Episode Synopses

Episode1Despiteeerievisionsof2006,DCISamTylerremainsinthe70s–whereheencounterstheyoungincarnationofanastyvillainSamputawayin2006.Heseesthechanceeverypolicemandreamsabout:stoppingthekillerbeforehekills.

Episode2Withhismentorpresidingoveranarmedrobberyinvestigation,DCIGeneHuntiskeentoshowoffhisteam.Andwithhisown(future)mentorworkingwiththeteamasalowlyDC,Samtootriestobeathisbest.

Episode3Whenabombwarningisreported,A-Divisiongoesonredalert.TheIRAhasbegunitsmainlandbombingcampaign.Nowtheterrorhasarrived–orhasit?

Episode4Thebodyofayoungwomanisfoundinwasteland.Theinvestigationtakestheteamtosuburbia,wherealocalcardealeristhrowingprivateparties,employingthemake-upgirlsto‘helpout’whenthewife-swappingbegins...

Episode5Samfeelsstrange–strangerthanusual.Whilsttryingtoworkoutthecauseofhisvividimaginings,hehastodealwithanurgentinvestigationwhenamantriestohanghimselfinA-division.Sammustshakethedemonsfromhisheadtohelpadesperatefamily.

Episode6HeroinhashitthestreetsofManchesterandGenewantsculprits.WheninvestigatingthemurderofaUgandanAsianman,SambattlesagainstthebigotedreactionofhisDCI.HissympathyisfurtherstirredbymessagesfromMaya,hisAsiangirlfriendin2007.

Episode7SamiswokeninthemiddleofthenightbyGene–drunk,andapparentlyhavingkilledsomeone.WhiletheevidencestacksupagainstGene,SamtriestoprovehisGuv’sinnocence,watchedbyDCIFrankMorganfromHydedivision.

Episode8CIDischasinganotoriouscopkillerandGeneisgoingundercoveraspartofadepartmentalstingoperationtocatchthevillainred-handedduringatrainheist.AllSamhastodo,Morganpromises,isonemorejobandhecan‘comehome’.Sam’spresumptionsabouthispast,futureandhisverysoulunravelinaheart-stoppingclimax.



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Episode Synopses

Episode 1 Despiteeerievisionsthatsuggestatantalisingproximityto2007,DISamTyleronceagainwakesuptofindhimselfverymuchamongstthepalebrownhuesofthetechnologicallyprehistoric,politicallyincorrectworldofSeventiesManchester.And,what’smore,he’sgotamurdertosolve.

SamencounterstheyoungincarnationofTonyCrane,anastyvillainheputawayin2006.Herealisesheisfacedwiththechanceeverycopperdreamsabout:stoppingthekillerbeforehekills.

Gamblingeverythingonensuringthemanissentdown,Sam’sflagrantdisregardforprocedurestunshiscolleaguesinCID.

Buttheycan’tappreciatewhatSamisstartingtofear–that,sincehiscaraccidentin2006,thevillainhasbeenreleasedandhasfoundhiswaytohishospitalbedsidewhereheisexactinghisrevengeonSam’svulnerablebody.

Stilldesperatetodiscoverhowhegotto1973,whyheremainsthereandhowhemayreturntothepresentday,Samhastoraceagainsttheclocktocaptureakiller,whoistryingtomurderhiminthefuture.

Episode 2 Atalosstodiscovertheguiltypartyinaspateofarmedrobberies,A-Divisiongoestoprisontoescortnotorioussafe-crackerDickieFingers(SteveEvets)backtoCID.However,astheytransporthimoutofthegaol,theyaresetuponbyadangerousgangwhowillstopatnothingtogettheirhandsonFingers.

Ashismentor,SuperintendentHarryWoolf,presidesovertheinvestigation,DCIGeneHuntiskeenerthanevertoshowoffhisteam’seffectiveness,andtheyheadstraightforchiefsuspectArnoldMalone(StephenBent)whotipsthemoffaboutthenextrobbery.

JawsdropintheCIDunitwhentheirfirstblackteammemberarrives,DCGlennFletcher.Samistakenaback–notbyFletcher’sethnicity,butinrealisingthatFletcherishisownmentorfrom2006.

GlennbecomesthebuttofRay’sshockinglyracistjibes,andyetseemshappytoputupwithit–somethingthemodernGlennFletcherwouldneverdo.SamtriestoinspireGlenntobelievemoreinhimselfandnotstandforRay’scheaphumour.

Episode 3 Whenabombwarningisreported,A-Divisiongoesonredalert.Accordingtothecaller,theIRAhasbroughtitsmainlandbombingcampaigntoManchester.

DISamTylersoonrealisesthereportedbombwarningdoesn’tfitwithhisunderstandingofIRAmethods.However,whenSam’s2006know-howfailsandputshisteamatrisk,theyturnhisbackonhim.

Ashisownteam’strustinhimevaporates,SamfightstoproveGene’stheorythattheIRAistoblameistooobvious.Desperatetoregainthefaithofhiscolleagues,Samrealiseshemustalsostopafearful,bigotedCIDgoingaftertheIrishcommunitywithtypicalGeneHuntaggression.

Sambeginstoshowhiscolleagueswhattestingtimeslieaheadforthemandhowforminggenuinebondsoftrustwiththeircommunitiescouldbetheonlywaytoensurepeaceinthecity–aconceptGenefindshardtoadopt!



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Episode Synopses

Episode 4 Whenthebodyofabeautifulyoungwomanisfoundinwasteland,DCIGeneHuntfearsaserialkillerhethoughthe’dsentdowninthelateSixtiesmaystillbeatlarge.ForSam,thevictim,aBeauvoirbeautyreplikehisAuntHeather,triggersvividrecollectionsofchildhood.

Utilisinghisknowledgeofmodernsurveillancetechniques,Samisledtomiddleclasssuburbiawherealocalcardealeristhrowingprivatepartiesemployingthepoorlypaidmake-upgirlsto“helpout”whenthelightsgodownandthewife-swappingbegins.

SamandAnniegoundercoverasayoungswingingcoupletoinfiltratetheworldofvol-au-vents,BlueNunandlavalamps.

Episode 5 SamTylerhasbeenonsickleaveforacoupleofdays,buthestillfeelsstrange–atleast,strangerthannormal.ThisbecomesapparentwhenhegetsvividhallucinationsaboutwhatCIDisdoing.Whilsttryingtoworkoutwhyonearththisishappening,healsohastotakecommandofanurgentinvestigation.SamstumblesintoA-division,dazedandconfused,andseesamanabouttohanghimselffromthecanteenceiling.SamTylerisneeded.

Samlearnstheman’swifeanddaughterhavebeenkidnapped,andarebeingheldhostage.Knowingthattimeistickingawayonthewomen’slives,Samisdeterminedtoshakethedemonsfromhishead,focusontheinvestigationandhelpthedesperatefamily.HestartsbyinterviewingallofA-Division,gainingaprivilegedinsightintotheirperspectives.Samlearnsofthemurderofayounggirlin1972,andthespeedy,aggressiveapprehensionofherboyfriendforthecrime.Inunpickingthedetailshebeginsworkoutwhomightbemotivatedtoholdthesetwovulnerablewomenhostage.

However,foronceaclearlyworse-for-wearSamisn’tathandtoshowtheway,andAnnieisleftexposedasshededucesforherselfthetrueidentityofthekidnapper.Meanwhile,Sam’soverviewoftheinvestigationhasbroughtunwelcomeinformationtolightabouttheinitialmurderandhurriedconviction.NowSamandtherestofCIDmayhavetoseetwodangerousindividualsarebroughttojustice…

Episode 6 DCIGeneHuntandtheteamarecalledtothesceneofashootingofayoungUgandanAsianman,Dipack.Asusual,Genejumpstoconclusionsandassumesitisdrug-relatedafterfindingasuspiciousbagofwhitepowderonthebody.However,Samhastoensurethebigoted,knee-jerkattitudeofthepolicedoesn’tcondemnthenewimmigrantcommunitybeforeafairhearing.

Thenewdrugturnsouttobeheroin,whichhasalreadyclaimedthelifeofoneyounguserontheothersideoftown,andGeneisdeterminedtoputastoptoitspreadingroundthestreetsofManchester.IfthereisonethingGeneHunthatesmorethananything,it’sdrugpushers.

LocalhardmanToolboxTerryisn’thappyaboutthenewdrugarrival,either.DisplayingararesenseofcommunityspirithedecidestoridManchesterofthisnewpoisontheonlywayheknowshow,bytorturingasuspecteddealer–somethingHuntishappytolethimtodo.

WhilstDipacklaysillinhospital,hisconfusedgirlfriend,Layla,isstuckinthemiddleofahighlychargedsituationandunsurewhoshecantrust.SheissurprisedatSam’sacceptanceofhermixed-racerelationship,andthetwoforgeaveryclosebond–especiallywhenSamdiscoversLayla’ssecret.



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Episode Synopses

Episode 7 Sickoftryingtocomfortaself-pityinglydrunkandangryGeneHunt,Samgoeshome.HeiswokeninthemiddleofthenightbyHunt,whotellshim,“Iappeartohavekilledsomeone.”Alocalunderworldbookiehasbeenshot.WhileSamgetstoworkonprovinghisobstreperouscolleague’sinnocence,hehimselfisbeingmonitoredbythestand-inDCI,FrankMorganfromHydedivision,amanintentondoingtheinternalinvestigationbythebook.HeissothoroughthatSamcan’thelpbutbeimpressedbyhismethods,andhisappealinglymodernapproach.Simultaneously,Samcan’thelpbutacceptthefactthattheevidenceisstackingupagainstGeneHunt.

Samstartstoseriouslyquestionwhetherthisboozing,ill-disciplinedmancouldreallybecapableofcommittingmurder.AsSamseesHunt’snormallyloyalcolleagues,evenAnnie,turncoldlyfromtheiroldGuvtoMorgan,Samfeelsanacutesenseofpanic.IfHuntisrotten,thenwhatonearthishedoinginleaguewithhim?Whyhashebeencrackingcrimesandputtingawaybadguysifoneofhisownisamongthem?Indeed:whyishein1973?

AsSamredoubleshiseffortstoproveHunt’sinnocence,ifonlytopreservethefragileworldSamhasexistedin,theinvestigationcomestoashockingdenouement,onethatrockstheveryfoundationsofhisworld.

Episode 8 WhenCIDhearsofadeadbodyofaminer,theteamisquicktothescene.TheysoondiscoverthatthenotoriouscopkillerLeslieJohnsisbehindthemurder.

Knowinghowbigthiscollarcouldbe,GeneisdeterminedtoleadtheinvestigationandbeatMorgantothepunch.CIDlearnsthatthekillingresultedfromafall-outoveraplannedheist.Bygoingundercoverontheheist,theycancatchLeslieJohnsred-handed.A-division,however,isashurriedandunprofessionalasever,andbeginstoscrewup.Again.

AsSamquestionsthedubiousethicsbehindtheirmethodsandmotives,hemeetsMorganone-on-one.WhatMorgantellsSamturnshisworldupside-down.SuddenlyhisreasonsforbeinginA-divisionarecastinatotallynewlight–atonceunbelievable,yetsomehowmakingperfectsense.AllSamhastodo,Morganpromises,isonejob,thenhecan‘comehome’–wordsthatsoundlikealullabytoSam.

WhilstSamisinutterturmoil,hehaslittletimetoworkoutwhototrustasheandhisteamheadintolethaldanger,facingdownenemiesonbothsidesofthelaw.ButevenhecouldnotpicturehowdisastrouslyeventsunfoldwhenCIDbeginstolearnthetruthaboutSamTylerjustastheheistisinprogress.AllSam’s,andourown,presumptionsabouthispast,hisfutureandhisverysoulbegintounravelinaheart-stoppingclimax.



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Series Awards

Royal Television Society Design and Craft Awards 2005/6 BestVisualEffects–PictureEnhancement“The jury was impressed by the subtlety and sensitivity of the approach. Careful not to overpower the narrative, the look not only integrated a hyper real quality but also transported the viewer back convincingly to the 1970s.”

Alsonominatedfor:ProductionDesign(Drama)

Banff World Television Awards 2006 RockieAwardforBestContinuingSeries

International Emmy Awards 2006 BestDramaSeries

Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA Saturn Awards 2007 Nomination:SaturnAwardforBestPresentationonTelevision

BAFTA Craft Awards 2006/7 Nominations:BestWriter:MatthewGrahamBestDirector:BharatNalluriEditing(Fiction/Entertainment)ProductionDesignSound(Fiction/Entertainment)

BAFTA Programme Awards 2006/7 PioneerAudienceAward(votedforbymembersofthepublic)Nominations:BestDramaSeriesBestActor:JohnSimm

Broadcasting Press Guild Awards 2006/7 BestDramaSeriesWriter’sAward:MatthewGraham,TonyJordan,AshleyPharoah

Nominations:BestActor:JohnSimmBestActor:PhilipGlenister

Royal Television Society Programme Awards 2006/7 Nominations:BestDramaSeriesBestActor:PhilipGlenister

Edgar Allan Poe Awards 2007 BestTelevisionEpisodeTeleplay:MathewGraham(forepisode1)

National Television Awards 2007 Nomination:MostPopularDrama

Television and Radio Industries Club (TRIC) Awards 2007TVCrimeProgrammeoftheYear



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Awards continued…/2

Variety Club Awards 2007TVPerformanceofTheYear:PhilipGlenister(forLife On Mars)

Broadcasting Press Guild Awards 2007/8BestActor:PhilipGlenister(forCranfordandLife On Mars)

BAFTA 2007/8 Nominations:BestDramaSeriesProductionDesignSound–Fiction/EntertainmentTitles

Banff World Television Awards 2007/8Nomination:BestContinuingSeries(Series2,Episode8)

Televisual Bulldog Awards 2007BestDramaSeriesTelevisualisthebusinessmagazineforthebroadcastandproductioncommunity.Theirannualawards(presentedinMay2008)arevotedforbytheTelevisual readers,givingadetailedpictureoftheprogrammemakers’viewsofthetoptelevisionshowsof2007.



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Ratings and Demographics

Episode1ofLife On Marswonitsslot,beatingstrongoppositionfromITV’sTrial And Retribution.AnairingofEpisode2immediatelyafterwardsat10pmonBBC4garneredthehighestmultichannelaudienceoftheday,with747,000viewers.Infact,LifeOnMarsaveragedover1millionviewers(4%)higherthantheBBC1slotaverage,andtherepeatattractedmorethan300,000(2%)abovetheBBC4slotaverage.

UKTxn Date Day Channel Time On Viewers Share

13/02/2007 Tue BBC1 21.00 6.43million 24%20/02/2007 Tue BBC1 21.00 6.11million 24%06/03/2007 Tue BBC1 21.00 5.23million 21%13/03/2007 Tue BBC1 21.00 5.32million 21%20/03/2007 Tue BBC1 21.00 6.42million 27%27/03/2007 Tue BBC1 21.00 6.56million 27%03/04/2007 Tue BBC1 21.00 6.39million 26%10/04/2007 Tue BBC1 21.00 7.44million 29%

Seriesaverage 6.24million 25%

Slotaverage 4.93million 21%

Average Percentage Demographics

Age Sex Social Group Male Female 4-15 16-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65 + AB C1 C2 DE

47 53 4 5 11 22 19 19 20 23 28 20 29

Channel Competition(13/02/2007)

TrialAndRetribution ITV1 21.00 6.42million 24%TheVerdict BBC2 21.00 1.81million 7%NeverDidMeAnyHarm C4 21.00 2.39million 9%CSI:CrimeSceneInvestigation five 21.00 3.09million 12%

BBC4 transmission

13/02/2007 Tue BBC4 22.00 793,000 5%20/02/2007 Tue BBC4 22.00 831,000 5%27/02/2007 Tue BBC4 22.05 316,000 2%06/03/2007 Tue BBC4 22.00 261,000 2%13/03/2007 Tue BBC4 22.00 286,000 2%20/03/2007 Tue BBC4 22.00 361,000 3%27/03/2007 Tue BBC4 22.00 277,000 2%03/04/2007 Tue BBC4 22.00 276,000 2%12/04/2007 Tue BBC4 22.00 541,000 3%

Seriesaverage 437,000 3%

Slotaverage 118,000 0.85%



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Ratings and Demographics



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What The Papers Say

“Imaintainthatitisimpossibletohaveaheartbeatandnotlovethisshow,thoughIgrantthattheunder-10sandover-70smaynotwholeheartedlyendorsethisview…I’mnotsurethatanhourofpopulardramacanbeanymoreentertainingthanlastweek’sepisode.”Kathryn Flett, Observer

“I’malmostembarrassedtoadmithowmuchIloveLife On Mars …Funny,fresh,original,inventive,smart,nostalgic,intriguing,absorbing–it’seasilymyfavouriteshowinyears.Troubleis,I’mindangerofbecomingseriouslynerdyaboutit.I’vere-watchedallofseriesone,boughtthecompanionbookandI’llbeofftoVirginatlunchtimetobuythesoundtrackCD.”Mike Ward, Daily Star

“…superb…TheconfidencethatmarkedoutLife On Marsfromtheverystartjustcontinuestogrow.”Jane Simon, Daily Mirror

“…oneofthebestTVshowsofthelasttenyears.”Caitlin Moran, The Times

“Crisplyscripted,funny,imaginative–whycan’tmoretellybelikethis?”Jonathan Wright, Guardian

“…fantasticshow…Thedramahighlightoftheweek…Life On Marsbringsmorethansunshine;it’salong,hotsummer.”David Stephenson, Express On Sunday

“AsaslobberinglydevotedfanoftheworkofJohnSimm,IneverthoughtI’dsaythatLife on MarshasturnedintothePhilipGlenistershow,butsopotentishisswaggeringlyintenseandpathologicallymachoDCIGeneHuntthatit’sabitshockingtoseehiminanyothercontext…IfancytheideaofHuntasalow-rentTVBondwhogetstosnogasoftenasheshoots.Mmm…stepawayfromtheTVnow,woman,goddammit.”Kathryn Flett, Observer

“ItseemsasifLife on Mars,whichwasalreadyprettyremarkablethroughoutitsfirstrun,istobecomestillricherandmoreinterestinginitssecondandfinalseries.”Karl French, Financial Times

“…ifonlytherewassomewaywecouldkeephimtrappedinSweeneylandforever,sothatheandGeneHuntcouldcarryonfightingcrime–andeachother–indefinitely.”Jane Simon, Daily Mirror

“Life on Marscouldsoeasilyhaveendeduprepeatingtheonejoke–look,fatchain-smokingcopperswhosmackwomenonthebumandcallthem‘darling’!–butthankstothedynamicbetweenSimmandGlenisterandtheenduringmysteryofTyler’smissioninthepast,thisnewseriesisshapinguptobeasmasher.”Stephanie Merritt, Observer

“…marvellous…”Matt Baylis, Daily Star

“…first-rate…”Critics Choice, Sunday Times

“Anotherexcellentepisodefullofgreatquipsfromtheheavy-handedboss.”Anila Baig, Sun

“Brut-allybrilliant…Thewonderfulmixofthenandnowmakestheshowajoy;thatandhugedollopofnostalgia:notjustforoldpop,Sweeney-stylepunch-upsandDoubleDiamond,butalsoforatimewhenmenweremenandcrimewaspunished…cavemancopperHuntistheshow’srunawaystar…playedsuperblybyPhilipGlenister.”Garry Bushell, People



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What The Papers Say

“…it’switty,well-scriptedandbrilliantlyacted…theperioddetailisspotonandthemusicandSweeneyreferencesaresublimelynostalgia-inducing…OstensiblyoursympathiesaremeanttoliewithTyler,appalledbythestandardsandmoresof1970spolicing:theproceduralirregularities,theviolence,thewillingnessto‘fitup’any‘guilty’suspectsincaseswherethereisn’tquiteenoughsolidevidenceforaprosecution.Farmoreoften,though,it’sHunt…thefoul-mouthed,chain-smoking,hard-drinking,sexist,racistbutstrangelyendearinganti-heroofBritishtelevision’sbestcopshowsinceThe Sweeney…withhiscamel-coatandsideburnsandwhiteleatherslip-onswhogetsourvote.”James Delingpole, Sunday Telegraph

“…theproductiondesignissensuousandslick,andSimmhimselfhassurelygotoneofthemostempatheticfacesonTV?Hecanconveyconfusion,determinationandinnerrageinasingletorturedgrimace.”Kevin Maher, The Times

“…oneofthemostoriginalandintriguingdramasBritishtelevisionhasproducedinyears…Cakehasrarelybeensocompletelyhadandeaten.MatthewGraham,thewriterofthisfinalepisode,deservescreditforgivingthefanswhattheywanted(romance,plusmoreofGeneHunt’sinsults)whilewrappingupthetime-travelplotinamoreorlessbelievablefashion.”Robert Hanks, Independent

“Life on Marswasimpressiveineveryway.JohnSimmasTylerandPhilipGlenisterasHunthelpedtocreatecharactersatleastasmemorableasBarlowandWattfromZ Cars…Butthecastingwasgenerallysuperlative,notjustwithinthecopshopbutininspiredcameos…Dittothedesign,which,havinggotsomuchdetailrightfromHunt’scaramel-colouredCortinatoTyler’sSkiYoghurtpots,threeweeksagosurprisedusbyturningthepairintoCamberwick Green characters.Foraseriescriticsforetoldwouldrunoutofideasbeforetheendofitsfirstseason,Mars continuedinitssecondtofindnewthingstosayaboutracism,Asianimmigration,Irishnationalism,heroinandwife-swapping.”Andrew Billen, The Times

“WhatnooneexpectedwastheroaringsuccessofPhilipGlenister’sGeneHunt,whocouldhavegoneonwithoutrehearsalasarhinoandhadalineofbanterlikeaswungshovel.Itwouldhavetakenasaintwithasoulaboveratingstorefuseasequel…Itisarguablethatnothingontelevisionisastrulyintouchwithitstimeasacopshow.Itmaynotmeanit;itcannothelpit.Dixon of Dock Greeninthe50s,Z Carsinthe60s,The Sweeneyinthe70s.Life On MarsspokeofnostalgiaforatimewhenPCdidnotmeanpoliticallycorrectanddetectiveswereseldommistaken,eveninapoorlight,forsocialworkers.”Nancy Banks-Smith, Guardian

“TenreasonswhyLife on Marswasbrilliant:1)Therewastimetravel.Intelligenttimetravel:themaincharacterwasinacoma,notaTardis.Youcandoanawfullotmorewithacoma.2)JohnSimmworeflaresanddidlotsofbeautiful,soulful,squintyunderacting.3)Itletyouhavethepastbothways.Thesoundtrack,theclothes,thequaintperioddetailofSeventiespopnostalgia-thegoodolddays!Thecrudepolicingtactics,theSeventiessexism/racism-thebadolddays!4)Theatmosphereandattentiontodetailwereascarefullyanddelicatelydoneasinaperioddrama,eventhoughitwassetin1973.5)TheplotlineinwhichJohnSimmmethisparentsandhimselfasasmallchild.Gavemegoosebumps,everytime.6)Theallusionstotelevisionshowsofthepast.Z-CarsandTheSweeneywereevokedinakindofloving,tenderpastiche.Ittookthemseriously,butnottooseriously.Youthought:aha!TVisbecomingallmatureandself-literate.7)Thecolours.Bleachedtonesofpetrolblueandyellow.IneffablySeventies.8)PhilipGlenisterasGeneHunt.9)PhilipGlenisterasGeneHunt10)PhilipGlenisterasGeneHunt.”Hermione Eyre, Independent On Sunday



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What The Papers Say (Australia)

“…wonderfullyoriginalcrimeseries…”Sun Herald

“It’ssometimesconfusingbutthere’sagrittinesstothiscrimeseriesthatholdsyourattention…”The Age

“Whatseemslikealaughablepremise…worksbrilliantlythankstosharpwritingandanexcellentleadcharacterinSamTyler(JohnSimm).”Sydney Morning Herald

“TherearethoseofuswhojustlovedLife on Mars,foritsoriginality,itsinventivenessanditswonderfulcasting.ItendedlastweekwithwhatsomecriticshavesuggestedwasTHEbestendingtoaseries.Ever.”West Australian

“Quasi-brilliantstufffromtheBrits…whileit’dbeanoverstatementtosaytheclosingminutesofthefinalepisodequalifiesasthebestendingever,itcomesclose.It’softensaidhowthebestscreenwritingthesedaystakesplaceonTVratherthanfilm.Life on Marsfurthersthatclaim..”The Age

“ForthefirsttimesinceCSI gotanoutposteverywherebutIdahoSprings,BritainismakingexcitingcrimeshowsthatholdtheirownagainsttheswollenbudgetsoftheirYankcounterparts.”Sydney Morning Herald

“Theattentiontodetailinthisshowisimpressiveandtheretromusic,carsandfashionsareabonusforviewersofacertainage.”Sun Herald



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Behind The Scenes

How do you follow that? (Production Interview)

AfterasuccessfulrunbothintheUKandonBBCAmerica,themakersofLife On Marsfacedatoughchallenge:howdotheyfollowthat?Howcantheyensurethesecondseriesisasstrongandcaptivatingasthefirst?

Theteamrelishedthechallengeasmuchastheyhaddonewhenapproachingthefirstseries,andtheenthusiasmandexcitementweremotivationtothewriterstoensurethefinalpartofSam’sjourneywasjustasfullofintrigueandsurpriseasthefirst.

MatthewGraham,whoco-created,wroteandexecutiveproducedthefirstseries,feltthekeytomaintainingthehighstandardswastostaytruetothewinningformula.“Wewerekeennotto‘reinventthewheel’forseriestwo,”saysMatthew.“Inthisseries,theshowwilloperatemuchasbefore.AsSamandGeneattempttosettletheirdifferencesinordertocrackcrime,SamlooksforanswersandawayoutofhisSeventiesprison.”

However,tocaptivateaudiencesforanothereightepisodesnewteamproducerCameronRoachwasalltooawaretheycouldn’tjustrelyonthesuccessofseriesone.“Itwasclearthattheaudiencewanted‘moreofthesame’,”explainsCameron.“Thispresentedourbiggestchallenge–theaudiencehaveanexpectationofbeingconstantlysurprisedandamazedbySam’sworld.

“However,wehadsomanyideasandpotentialstoriesthattheshowcouldhaveruntoabouteightseries.But,becauseweknewSam’sjourneywasfinite,wehavecompactedthemintojusttwotomakesurethatitpacksapunchand,hopefully,peoplewillrememberLife On Marsforyearstocome.”

WhilstanyavidviewerwillagreethattherelationshipbetweenSamandhisDCI,GeneHunt,hasbeenakeyfactortotheshow’spopularityand,naturally,continuestothumpandthrustitswaythrougheightmoreepisodes,seriestwounlockssomedarkersecretsheldclosebySam’steamwho,ifTyleristobebelieved,aremerely“partofhissubconscious”.

Andanotherblossomingpartnershipalsodevelops...“Anniehasaverybigjourneyinthisseries–freshchallengesinherjobanddeeperfeelingsforSam,”saysMatthew.“Viewersshouldbracethemselvesforsomeprettyintensemomentsbetweenthesetwo!”

ThecasescontinuetocauseconflictbetweenSamandGene,andtheadditionalpressureoftheirmentors’involvementinthemonlyservestoheightentensionswithintheteam.However,Sam’salmosthallucinogenic‘episodes’continuetohaunthim,andthevoicesofthefuturemakeaveryrealimpactonhismentalandphysicalstate.

TheproductionteamtriedtoavoidusingaSeventiessettingasleveragefornostalgictripsdownmemorylanetorememberonlythe‘goodolddays’.However,itdidgivethemakersanexcusetopaytributetoaSeventies’classicwithSamandGenemakingtheirplastercinedebutinarathersurrealversioninspiredbyCamberwick Greenwhichwill,nodoubt,delightagenerationofBrianCantlovers.

“Ithinkit’soneofthemostbeautiful,hilariousandsatisfyingthingswe’vedoneontheshow,andthat’sduetoabrilliantjobbyHotAnimation,”commentsMatthew.“However,‘Sam’and‘Gene’havenow,sadly,beendismantledintotheirconstituentpartsand,whoknows,theycouldhavegonebackintomakingupFiremanSamandBobtheBuilder!”

Inthismulti-channelage,sofewseriesgainbothcriticalacclaimandsustainmassiveviewingfigureseveryweek,sotoendaconceptthathasachievedbothoftheseseemsanunusualchoice.However,thecreativeteamhadalwaysknownhowSam’sjourneywouldend,butfeltthattheseriesalsohadadefiniteshelflife.



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Behind The Scenes continued…/2

“Endingaserieswhichhasbeensuchahitwiththeaudienceisahugeresponsibilitywhicheveryonetookveryseriously,”addsexecutiveproducer,JaneFeatherstone.

Theywereabletoconcentratealltheireffortsonmakingtheseriestwofinalethebiggestandbesttheycouldmuster.“Asaproducer,itisaluxurytoknowthattheseriesyouareworkingonhasadefiniteend,”explainsCameron.

“Everyoneputahugeamountofenergyandcareintodevelopingandfilmingthefinalepisode,”elaboratesexecutiveproducer,ClaireParker.“Whenwewereactuallyfilmingthefinalscenestherewasareallysad,butcelebratory,atmosphereonset.”

However,thecreativeteamhavebeen‘livingintheSeventies’forsometimesincethegenesisoftheproject,havingbeenonaneight-yearjourneywithSamTylerandhiscolleagues,andinevitablyfeltlikehisfinalmomentsweretheendofanera.

Aswriterofthefinalepisode,Matthewfeltagreatresponsibilitybringingtheseriestoanendandrealisedthatitwasadouble-edgedsword:“I’mgladwe’rebringingSam’sjourneytoaconclusionnow,”heexplains.

“Itfeelsverysatisfyingtotiethestoryupbutit’ssad,too.It’slikesayinggoodbyetofriendswithwhomyouhavesharedalongandeventfuljourney.”

OnceMatthewhaddeliveredthefinalscript,Featherstonefounditdifficulttofinish.“Readingthefirstdraftofthefinalepisodewasactuallyaveryemotionalexperience,”sheexplains,“Butit’sgotaremarkableending!”



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Cast Interviews

John Simm plays Detective Inspector Sam Tyler

How was it returning to the world of Sam Tyler? “Itwasexcitingtogobacktotheroleanditwasverynicetoseeeveryoneagain–weslippedbackintoitveryeasily.Weliterallyhitthegroundrunninganditwasjustlikebefore–infact,itwasalmostlikewewereactuallyfilminganinthepisodeforseriesoneratherthanepisodeoneofseriestwo!Ihadn’thadtimetodoanotherjobinbetweensothetimeoffjustwentveryquickly,andsuddenlywewerebackintoit.Itwasgreat.”

There continues to be lots of altercations between Sam and the rest of his team. Does Sam’s bloody-mindedness and moral behaviour still make life difficult for him? “Inepisodethree,theteamarecalledoutbecauseofathreatenedbombblast.Obviously,Genejumpstoconclusionsandassumesit’stheIRA,butSamknowsthatthiscan’tbeso.Heisabsolutelycertainthatheisright,butSamthinksitmustbeahoax.So,whenheandRaylockhornsandRaygoestoinvestigate,Samhonestlydoesn’tthinkthatthereisanyrisk,butRaytakestheconsequences.Idon’tthinkSamwouldintentionallyputanyoneindanger–notevenRay!”

Is Sam getting increasingly frustrated with his situation – not knowing if he’s in a coma or if he’s going mad? “Idon’tthinkSamisfrustrated,assuch,Ithinkhe’sresignedtothefactthathe’sthereandhe’swaitingforsomethingelsetohappentogivehimasign–whichdoeshappen,moreorless,ineveryepisode;hehasafrighteningdreamorhe’sgiventhewrongdrugsorhe’shearingthingsfrom2007ontheradio.Ithinkhe’sjustwaitingforanotherchancetowakeupandgetout.”

Is it true you and Philip wore Old Spice aftershave occasionally during filming to re-create that Seventies feeling?“Rightattheverybeginningoftheseries,PhilandIdecidedwe’dwearOldSpiceandBruttotryandgettheSeventiessmelleverymorning–togetusinthemood.Wediditonceandwestanksomuchweneverdiditagain!WebothhadthesebottlesofunusedaftershavethatwehadbeenbeggingEmma(White),themake-uplady,togooutandbuy,whichshedid,andweonlyuseditonce–itwasaverybadidea!”

Will you miss Life On Mars? “I’llmissthefactthatI’mnotworkingwiththesefantasticpeople.Itwasreallyhardwork,almostlikeanendurancetestinalotofways.Iwasineveryscenesothedayswerereallylong.Iwasawayfromhomeforayear,anditwasquitetough.I’llmisstheleatherjacketbut,hopefully,Icankeepitandputitinmywardrobe–itwillliveonevenafterLife On Mars!”

What are you up to next? “Ihavejustfinishedfilmingaone-offdramaforChannel4calledThe Yellow House–dueonairlaterthisyear.IplayVincentVanGogh,andit’sbasedaroundwhenhelivedinArles,SouthFrance,withPaulGauguin,in1888.ItbasicallyculminatedinVanGoghgoingmadandcuttinghisearoff.Ienjoyeditimmensely,andfounditgreattoplaysomeoneelse–especiallyalongsideJohnLynchwhoplaysGauguin.

“Sadly,Idon’thaveanyoriginalsofVanGogh’swork.However,Idohaveafewprintsathome.Ihadtopaintwhenwewerefilmingcertainscenes,whichwasreallyweird,andIhadtogetintothepsycheofsomeonewhowasverymentallyillatthetime.ItwasverydifferenttoplayingSamTyler!”



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Cast Interviews

Philip Glenister plays Detective Chief Inspector Gene Hunt

What was it like returning to series two of Life On Mars? “LikeGroundhogDay!Itwaslikewehadneverbeenaway!”

Was it good to get back into it? “Yes.Sometimes,whenyoustartasecondseries,itcanfeeldifferentbecauseyougetanewsetofcrewmembersand,obviously,thingschangebutwehadalotofthesamecrew,whichwasnice–itwasliketheyhadn’tevenchangedtheirclothes!”

How did you feel when you found out that this series would reveal a little more about Gene’s background?“Iwasquitereluctantaboutitinitially,mainlybecauseI’mveryprotectiveofGeneandIthinkoneofthegreatthingsabouthimisthathe’sanenigma–andIthinktheaudiencelikethatalot.IthinkthefactthatSamseeshimlikethatisveryimportantwithintheirrelationship,soIfeltheneededtoremainanenigma.But,ofcourse,thewritingissogoodandwhenGenetalksaboutthedetailsofwhathappenedtohisbrother,he’squitedismissiveandaloof.Genedoesn’tdopsychology.”

Do you think he’s proud of his team? He does occasionally dish out the odd compliment… “ThisiswhyIalwaysbasedhimonafootballmanagerbecauseit’saverysimilarthing.BrianClough,forexample,wouldneverover-praisehisplayers,butwhentheywontheEuropeanCupeveryoneknewhewastheproudestmaninthecountryandthoseweresomeoftheproudestplayersonthepitch.It’sstillapparentincurrentfootballmanagers,SirAlexFerguson,forexample,istrainingfootballerswhoarepaid£100,000perweek.Sincethey’rebeenpaidahellofalotofmoney,youknowhethinks:‘yougetoutthereandwinthefootballmatch!’

“Gene’sthesameasFergusonandCloughbut,obviously,withhimit’saboutcatchingcriminals.Instead,Genewouldsaytohisteam:‘Youbloodywellgetoutthereandcatchcriminals.AndIdon’tcarehowyougetthem.TherearesomenastybastardsoutthereandIwantthemoffthestreets.’InthatrespectIagreewithGene,becauseiftherearenastybastardsoutthere,Idon’tcarehowhegetsthemoffthestreets.Asyougetolderyougetlesstolerantofthesethings.”

Gene is very protective of his patch, isn’t he? “He’sWyattEarp;he’stheSheriffwhowearsthebadge.WhenI’vebeenaskedwhatgenreyouwouldputLife On Marsin,Isayit’saWestern.It’sgoteverythingthatagreatWesternhas:thefrontier,thetown,thecharactersandtheSheriff–andthatSheriffisGene.Yes,hedoescutcornersandhedoesseethingsinblackandwhite,butIstillmaintainthathekeepsitin-house.YouneverseeGenereallypickingonsomeonewhoisthewrongperson.TheonlytimeIthinkhegoesoverthetopiswiththesuspectedIRAbomber,inepisodethree.”

Gene’s insensitive humour definitely makes people laugh, even when they shouldn’t… “Ilovehissubtlety!Asanactorthatstuffisgreatfuntoplay.However,wealldolaughathislines.That’sametaphorforlife,insomerespects,thewholepoliticalcorrectnessthing.IwastalkingtoafriendtheotherdayandwesaidIhaven’theardasinglepersonsaying:‘Isn’titmarvellous,thatwholepoliticalcorrectnessthing?’It’sjustredtapeandbureaucracythatgetsintheway.”

How do you feel about Life On Mars coming to an end? “Mixedfeelings,inaway.Itwasagreat,greatshowtodo,andGenewasawonderfulcharactertoplay–probablythemostfunI’veeverhad.Itwasagreatteam,andpartofthethingIloveaboutajobisthecamaraderieofthecrewandcast.Whenyou’reawayfromhometheybecomeyourfamily.Wewereveryfortunatewehadaphenomenalcrewwhoworkedtheirbacksidesoff.”



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Cast Interviews

Liz White plays Woman Police Constable Annie Cartwright

What was it like getting back into those flammable fabrics and Carmen rollers? “ItwasareallyeasyflipbackintotheSeventiesbecausewe’ddoneallthegroundworkforthefirstseries.Whenwestartedonthefirstdaybackitwasjustlikeputtingonanoldcoat.Itwasareallynicefeeling;Iknewthestorylinesthatwerecomingupweregoingtobereallyexciting–itwasareallyhappyreturn.”

How does Annie change this series? “Shegainsmorerespectandcertainlymoreconfidence.Anniecertainlyrealisesthatsheisreceivingmorerespectfromherteam,butshetrieshardtokeepholdofherprinciplesthatgotherthereinthefirstplace.Annieisverygoodattakingtheboys’sexistcommentsinherstridesoshestillmanagestorisegracefullyaboveitduringthenextseries.”

Since she has a degree, and is therefore more qualified than most of her team, do you think she gets irritated by their reaction?“Ithinkthatadegreeeventhenwouldn’thavehelpedherinthepoliceforce.Obviously,it’sfantasticthatshewenttoUniversitybut,intermsofpolicing,itdoesn’thelpmuchwithherjob.Iguessshefeelsthatafterhavinggraduatedshehasgonebacktothebottomofthepile.Idon’tthinkthatAnniefeelsintellectuallysuperiorbecauseshe’ssoawareofherlackofexperience.Eventhoughsheisbraveenoughtotakeonthesehardjobs,attheendofthedayshelacksexperienceandthereforethefullconfidencetodoherjobverywell.She’sstillapupil,almostanapprentice,soSam’ssupportreallyhelpsher.”

Annie is torn between her allegiances to Sam and to her team. How does she deal with these split loyalties?“Ithinkshe’sprotectiveovertheteam,andshe’stryingnottoletherpersonalpreferencesgetinthewayofherwork.Shehastodoherbesttostayneutraltothecauseandnotletaffairsoftheheartgetintheway.She’stryingtobeobjective,andSamhasatendencytoberatherpetulantattimesandthat’swhatshedoesn’tagreewith.Shedoesn’tseeanyhugeattemptsbySamtorectifyhiswrongs.”

In Episode 4 Sam and Annie go undercover to investigate a murder and end up at a wife-swapping party. Sam seems very protective over Annie in such an extreme situation… “Yes,Samdoesn’twantAnnietoshowherselfupinfrontofGene.Theyareinvestigatingamanwhomayhaveassaultedsomeone,andpossiblykilledayoungwoman,sosheispotentiallyatrisk.Samiswellawareofthat,andreallylooksoutforAnniebecauseit’saveryserioussituation.

“Ittakesamoreexperiencedguytoseehowayoungdetectivecangetcarriedaway,gettingdressedupandtheglamourofanalluringparty.SamiswellawarethatAnniemightgetcarriedawaythinkingtheyweresaferthantheyactuallywere–sheactuallydoesverywellbuthejustletshisprotectivenaturetakeover.”

How do you feel about the series coming to an end? “Life On MarswasthefirstprogrammeI’ddonetwoseriesinarowof.ItwasreallynicetocomebackforthesecondseriesasIfeltlikeIhadalreadydonemyhomeworkandwasreallyprepared!Butnowthatit’sfinishedratherthantryingtomakeitlasttoolongandstringitoutit’smuchbettertohavetworeallysolidseries.Ithinkthey’rebothreallygoodanditwasafantasticprojecttoworkon.”

Have you got any new projects coming up? “I’mdoingaplayattheAlmediacalledDying For It.It’sdirectedbyKathyBurke,andit’saRussianplaythatwasfirstwrittenintheTwenties–itwasactuallybannedbyStalin.It’sbeencompletelyre-writtenbyMoiraBuffini.IplayawomancalledMasha–themainbread-winnerinherfamilyandtheverysupportiveandprovidingwifeofthemaincharacter,whodecidesheisgoingtocommitsuicide.”



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Cast Interviews

Dean Andrews plays Detective Segeant Ray Carling

After a mistake, and a demotion at the end of series one, Ray finally ends up back in Gene’s good books. How does that affect him and his work?“Afterhisdemotionlastyear,Rayrealisedhewasn’tgoingtowinthebattlewithSam.It’smoreimportantthatGene,hismentor,likeshimratherthanRaylikingSam.IthinkRayisonhisbestbehaviourabit;hestilldoesn’tlikeSamandletshimknoweverysooftenandalwaystriestohavealittledighereandthere!”

This series reveals a more vulnerable side to Ray, which is unusual for him. Have you always known he had a softer side?“ThebeautywiththisseriesisitshowsRay’svulnerability,butalsohisdedication,andmaybeevensomeofthat‘Neanderthalinstinct’comesoutbecausehefeelslikehehastogobacktowork.HealsohasthemoralhighgroundonSamatthatpoint,aswell,becauseSamisn’talwaysright.Atonepoint,heputsRayindangerandhecomesoutofitquitebadly.Ray,however,becomestheheroandhebecomestheboss’sboyagain.ItwasquiteagoodonetoactbecauseIcouldshowadifferentsidetoRay,ratherthanjustthemacho/testosteroneside.

“Throughouttheseries,therearesomegreatstoriesandsituationsthatgosomewaytovindicatingRay’sbehaviourtoadegree.WhenGenegetsarrested,RaysticksupfortheGuvwhenSamdoesn’t.TherehavebeensomegreatmomentsforRayaswellassomeneartearfulmomentswhichyouwouldneverhavedreamtofinseriesone.”

How was it growing a real moustache for the role? “Itwashorrible–almostashorribleashavingafakemoustache.Itcertainlywasn’tamachotash,either!Ithinkitlooksgreat,though,soitwaswellworthit.Ishavedthetashandthesideboardsoffassoonaswefinishedfilming.I’veonlyjustshavedmyhairoffnow,butitfeelsalotbetter!”

How do you feel about this being the last series? “I’vehadagoodtimeintheSeventies,andit’sashowthatI’lldefinitelymiss.Iknowit’snotabadthing,theshowwillgooutonahigh,everyonewilltalkaboutitandhopefullyit’llbecomeaclassic.Everyonewasgreatandthecastandcrewhadgreatcamaraderie.I’lldefinitelymissthat.”



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Cast Interviews

Marshall Lancaster plays Detective Constable Chris Skelton

Chris has a dating disaster and turns to Sam for advice. Does he sense that Sam has a way with the ladies?“ChristhinksthatSam’sdoingalrightwithAnnieandhepulledJoniinseriesone,soIthinkChrishasrealisedSamisabitofaladiesman.Don’tforget,itlookedlikeevenSam’sownmotherwasafterhimatsomepointduringseriesone!SamdidadviseChristhathedidn’thavetofillagirlwithalcoholtogethertolikehim.However,I’vealwaysfoundtheciderandblackrouteisthebetterway!”

How has Chris changed this series?“Nottoomuch–Istillgetthehilariousone-linersandcomedymoments.Therewasonegreatscene–thatsadlygotcutintheend–whereChrisisdescribingtoSamhowhismorninghadstarted.Intheflashback,yousawhiminhisbedroomwearingIncredibleHulkunderpants,playingwithhisactiontoyswhenhismumcallsuptohim.

“Itwasagreatscenebecauseitgaveyouaninsightintothelifebehindthecharacter,aswellasitbeingveryfunnybut,apparently,Iwastoobuffforthescenetostayin!Thepantswerehilarious,though,Emma(Rosenthal,costume)hadafewpairsthatshecameupwithand,whatwithitbeingtheSeventies,theychosetheworstones!”

His loyalties seem to be still split between Ray and Sam. Does Chris try and keep the peace? “Hejusttriestopleaseeveryone.HeunderstandsthedifferentanglesthatbothSamandRayarecomingfrom.Heisquiteperceptiveinthatway–he’snotjustawallyallthetime!Atonepoint,neartheendoftheseries,ChrisevenloseshisragwithSam–whichisacompletelydifferentsidetohim.”

How do you feel about Life On Mars coming to an end? “Ithinkitisprobablyrighttoendtheseriesnow.Allgoodthingshavetocometoanendatsomepoint.I’mmissingitabitnow,butit’srightthatitfinishesratherthanpeoplewaitingforagestoseehowitends.Idomissfilmingthecarchasesandthetypicalcopgunscenes,though.ItisnicetobeinCIDdoingthosescenes,too,buttheytendtobeabitheavierinexploringSam’spsychologicalstatus,andcarchasesaregreatfun!Inepisodetwo,thereisaraidinapostofficethatwasgreattofilm.AsmuchasImissfilmingit,I’mnowabletolookforwardtowatchingthem.”

What else do you have in the pipeline? “AfterthelatestseriesofLife On MarsIwentontofilmabitonCoronation Street.IplayedadirtyscrubbercalledSlug!I’vejustbeenonscreenleadingBecky(KatherineKelly)intomoretroublewithRoyandHayley.”

What was it like filming on Coronation Street? “Itfeltstrange,becausethesearepeopleI’veseenonmyTVforsuchalongtime.Onmyfirstday,Iwalkedinthecafe,Roy’sRolls,andLizDawn(VeraDuckworth)wasthereandshesaidtome:‘It’sjustlikeanyotherMondaymorningtome,love,butthenagainI’vebeenhere25years!’IhadalsoworkedwithKatherineKellybeforeonLife On Mars(sheplaysSam’sAuntinepisodefour)soshelookedaftermeandintroducedmetoeveryone.”



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Also At The Police Station

Noreen Kershaw plays the quick-witted Phyllis Phyllisisonthefront-linewhenitcomestoslingingsuspectsinthecells.Sheisano-nonsenseladywho,ifshelivedin2007,wouldprobablybedescribedasaballbreaker.But,inthesetimesofovertsexismandbumpinching,Phylliscangiveasgoodasshegetsanddemandstherespectofhermalecolleagues.

Noreenhashadavariedcareerinfilm,TVandtheatre.AudienceswillrecogniseherfromPeak Practice, butshehasalsoappearedinshowsaswide-rangingasWatching, Young Indy,AlanBleasdale’sJake’s Progress, Coronation StreetandAlbion Market.

Tony Marshall plays Sam’s ‘therapist’ and barman Nelson Nelsonisthe“Jamaican”bartenderattheCID’slocal,butonlySamknowshissecret–heisasMancunianastheycome.Nelsonisthemanpeoplegotoforadrinkandachat.HeoffershiswordsofwisdomtoanincreasinglytroubledSam,andactsashissoundboardforhistheoriesastohow,andwhy,hehasendedupinthisalienworld.

TonyisbestknownforplayingDieselintheBBCdramaThe Preston Front,buthasappearedinmanywell-knownTVshowssuchasJudge John Deed, Wing And A Prayer, The Queen’s NoseandOnly Fools And Horses.

Kevin R McNally plays Superintendent Harry Woolf WhenGene’ssuperiorandmentor,SuperintendentHarryWoolf,arrivesonthescene,herecognisesmuchofhimselfinDISamTyler.Soontoretire,heplanstogooutwithabangbykeepinganeyeonGene’slatestcase–aspateofarmedrobberies.

KnownmostrecentlyasPirateJoshameeGibbs,inthepopularPirates Of The Caribbeanmovietrilogy,Kevin’sotherfilmworkincludesPhantom Of Tthe OperaandJohnny English.HisTVworkincludestheBBCcomedyseriesDad(co-starringMinder’sGeorgeCole),Shackleton andDunkirk.



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Episode Guest Stars

Marc Warren (Ep 1) MarcWarrenplaysdarkanddevilishcasinoownerTonyCrane.Aself-mademan,Cranehasworkedhiswayupfromthebottomranksoftheunderworld.Whenacasinochipisfoundatamurderscene,routineenquiriesbringGeneandhisteamtoCrane’sestablishment.Craneseemssqueakyclean;however,Samhasthebenefitofhis“futurepast”andtrustinghisinstinctshewon’tlethimoffsoeasy.SamsooncomestorealisethattheCranein2007hasnowbeenreleasedfromjailandistryingtokillhiminhiscoma.

WarrenisbetterknownascheekyDannyinanotherofKudos’shitshows,Hustle.OthercreditsincludeHogfather, Dracula, State Of Play, The ViceandDoctor Who.

Yasmin Bannerman (Ep 1) EveOlawihasambitions.However,beingablackwomaninSeventiesManchesterisn’teasy,andwhenTonyCraneofferedhersecurityandrespectashisgirlfriend,Evejumpedatthechance.Knowingwhathorrorsawaitherinthefuture,Samtriestoconvincehertobreaktieswiththisdangerousman–aconceptthatEvefindshardtoaccept.

Yasmin’scareerwaskick-startedonChannel4’sHollyoaks,wheresheplayedMaddieParker.OthercreditsincludeMerseybeat,Doctor Whoand55 Degrees North.

Ray Emmett Brown (Ep 2) DCGlennFletcheralwaysdrawsattentionwhenhewalksintoanewCIDunit.BeingthefirstblackDCinManchester’sprecinctmeanshefacesaninordinateamountofmickey-taking,criticismandbigotry–notleastfromRayandmostofhisothercolleagues.Saminstantlyrecogniseshimashisfuturementor,amanherespectsandlovesgreatly.However,theDCbeforehimisonlyashadowofthemanSamonceknew.

Ray’screditsincludeOutlaws, The Second ComingandJudge John Deed.

Brendan Mackey (Ep 3) Thingsdon’tlookgoodforPatrickO’BrienwhendynamitestolenfromtheconstructionyardheworksatisusedinasuspectedIRAbombattack.FindinganIrishmanwith“previous”’islikeflashingaredraginfrontofabullwhereGeneHuntisconcerned.SamknowstheIRAdidn’tstarttheirmainlandcampaignuntilthelateEightiesandthat,alongwiththecurrentattacksfailingtofittheirregularModusOperandi,it’suptoSamTylertohelpclearPatrick’sname.

BrendanhasstarredinthefilmsTouching The Void, Fatedand48 Angels.TVcreditsincludeHoly Cross andThe Bill.

Georgia Taylor (Ep 4) Employedasalocalbeautysalesrep,DeniseWilliamsrarelyhasahairoutofplace.However,sheismorethanruffledwhenacolleagueofhersisfoundmurderedandSaminterviewshertohelpwithhisenquiries.Reluctantly,sheleadsthemtoRogerTwilling,alocalcarsalesmanwhoemploystheyoungandglamorousmake-upartiststohelpoutathisprivateparties.

Georgia’sTVcreditsincludeBlackpool, Viva Blackpool andCoronation Street.ShehasrecentlystarredinthecriticallyacclaimedfilmThe History Boys.



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Episode Guest Stars

Eva Pope (Ep 4) CarolTwillingiswifetoRoger,alocalcarsalesmanwhohasalovefor“privateparties”.Whenthebodyofalocalbeautyrepisfoundonawasteground,theteamsuspecttheTwillingswillbeabletohelpwithenquiries.SamtakesAnnieundercover,posingasacouplenewtothearea.WithherhusbandlustingafterthebeautifulAnnie,CaroltakesanotionforSamandthecouplewelcomethenewcomersintohisclosecircleoffriends.

Eva’screditsincludeVincent, SortedandCoronation Street.

Reece Dinsdale (Ep 5) WhenSimonLamb’sbelovedwifeanddaughterarekidnapped,heresortstodesperatemeasures.Bythreateningtohanghimselfinthestation’scanteen,theCIDunitareforcedtotakehisclaimsseriously.It’sthenuptoSamandtheteamtofigureoutwhoisholdingSimon’sfamilycaptive.But,inordertodothat,theyfirstneedtofigureoutwhytheyhavebeentargeted.

Dinsdale’sTVcreditsincludeConviction, The Chase, Love Lies BleedingandAhead Of The Class.HisfilmcreditsincludethecriticallyacclaimedI-D.

Ian Puleston-Davies (Ep 6) Whenanew,powerful,illegaldrug,Heroin,makesitswayontothestreetsofManchester,GeneHuntandtheCIDunithavearaceagainsttimetostopitsspread.‘ToolboxTerryisn’tsohappyaboutthenewarrival,either.Findinganunusualconscience,hedecidestoridManchesterofthisnewpoisontheonlywayheknowshow,throughtorturingasuspecteddealer–somethingthatHuntishappytolethimtodountilToolbox’srealmotivesreartheiruglyhead.

TVcreditsforIanincludeFunland, Conviction, VincentandHustle.Healsowrotetheaward-winningDirty Filthy Love,whichstarredMichaelSheen.

Alex Reid (Ep 6) Youngandconfused,Laylaisn’tsurewhoshecantrust,especiallysinceshe’sinamixedracerelationship–somethingthelocalcommunityfindshardtoaccept.HavingrealisedLayla’scloserelationshiptosomeonespecialtohimin2007andknowinghowherlifewillpanoutforher,Samtriestoguideherinatrickysituationwhenshe’sunsureofwhatpathtotake.

AlexhasstarredinthehitfilmDepartedandherTVworkincludesSorted, The Government Inspector andUltimate Force.

Kieran O’Brien (Ep 7) WhenGeneHuntgetsinaspotofbotherit’suptoDISamTylerandtherestoftheCIDunittohelphimout.Asalways,Sam’smethodsandopinionsdividetheteam.Sam’senquiryleadshimtowashed-upboxerDavieMackay,amanwhooncelovedhissportpassionatelybutisnowjadedbytheindustriesundergroundcriminalactivities.

HavingachievedcultstatusasStephen‘Gruey’Grucockinthehitchildren’sshownamedafterhischaracter,KieranlaterwentontostarinCracker,aswellasBurn ItandTotally Frank.HealsostarredwithJohnSimminthefilm24 Hour Party People,aswellasplayingtheleadinthecontroversialfilm9 Songs.HeisalsostarringinBBCOne’snewpolicedrama,HolbyBlue.

Ralph Brown (Ep 7 and 8) WhenFrankMorganissentfrominternalaffairstoinvestigateA-Division’smethodsofpolicing,SamTylerfindshisprioritiesarecalledintoquestion.

RalphhasstarredinfilmsWithnail & I, StonedandWayne’s World 2.HisTVcreditsincludeNighty Night, Spooks, Coronation Street andCape Wrath.



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Press Features This is a small selection of the massive UK press coverage given to the second series of Life On Mars. All the features in this document are subject to copyright and cannot be used, copied or reproduced in any way without the permission of the copyright holders

Guardian - 13/02/2007

WHENMENWEREMENHehadabigmoustache,stankofboozeandfags,likedapunch-upandwasanunreconstructedsexistpig.SowhatisitaboutSeventiesManthatissoappealingtofilmandTVaudiencestoday?JohnHarrisinvestigates

‘Wewantedguyspunchingeachotherinthestreetwithnorecompense.Wewantedmenwhocouldcarrygunswithouthavingtofilloutaform,andwhocoulddrivereallybig,gas-guzzlingcarswithoutanyguilt.That’sthepoint:intermsofmen,wewantedaguilt-freeworld.Whatifyoujustdidwhateveryouwanted?”

Bywayofheraldingitsmuch-anticipatedreturntoBBC1tonight,MatthewGraham,theco-creatorofdramaseriesLifeOnMars,isrecallingtheshow’sgenesis(itsworkingtitle,herecalls,wasFordCortina),andevokingaworldwithwhichreadersofacertainagewillprobablybealltoofamiliar.Theyearis1973,andJohnSimm,a21st-centurydetectivewith21st-centurysensibilitiesandmorals,isstrandedinatimewhenthepolice,asGrahamputsit,were“astatewithinastate”andethicscameapoorsecondtonailingvillains.Mostofthecarsontheroadseemedtobebrown.Britaingaveoffafunnyaroma,equalpartscigarettesmoke,overcookedvegetablesandwhatconnoisseursofaftershaveknewas“thegreatsmellofBrut”.Perhapsmostinterestingly,althoughfeminismwasstartingtobepartofintellectualdiscourse,ithadyettomakeimpactoneverydaylife.

Lookingback,intheinflatedtotemsof70smaleness-bushysideburns,hairychests,whatwenowknowasthe“pornomoustache”-yousensethetickingofthesexual-politicalclock,asthemassedentryofwomenintotheworkplaceandthedeclineofheavyindustryconspiredtocreatethefirststirringsofthecrisisinmasculinity.Forawhile,however,mencouldstillmakehay,notleastbecauseoftheinterregnumbetweentheinventionofthepillandtheabsorptionintothecultureofWomen’sLib.AsGermaineGreerputsit,thesewerestillthedayswhen“girlsputout,butdemandednothinginreturn”.

Acrosslatter-dayliterature,drama,filmandTV,theBritishincarnationofSeventiesManisinthemidstofacomeback.Towardstheendoflastyear,hewascelebratedinaBBC2specialentitledBeefcake.Inthemuch-admiredmovieTheLastKingOfScotland,hetakestheformofNicholasGarrigan,theyoungScottishdoctor-allloonpants,libidoandvoluminoussideburns-whoseJack-the-ladwayscausehisdownfall.Hewasthereinoneoflastyear’smostacclaimednovels:DavidPeace’sTheDamnedUnited,afictionalisedaccountofthe44strangedaysin1974thatthelegendaryfootballmanagerBrianCloughspentinchargeofLeedsUnited.Thelatterisreportedlytobeturnedintoafeature-lengthproductionstarringMichaelSheen.Justtoprovethattheprevailingdirectionofthezeitgeistisinsurprisinglyfewhands,SheenrecentlyportrayedDavidFrostcirca1977,completewithatell-talewhiffofcigarsmokeandtestosterone,inthetheatricalhitFrost/Nixon-whichwasscriptedbyPeterMorgan,thescreenwriterbehndTheLastKingofScotland.

Butit’sLifeOnMarsthatperhapsbestshineslightonSeventiesMan,andtheambivalentfeelingshearouses.InJohnSimm’sportrayalofDISamTyler,there’sallmannerofdisquietaboutthewayhismalecolleaguescarryon,focusedinparticularonDCIGeneHunt-thethunderinglyaggressive,completelyunreconstructedManchestercopwhoisTyler’sbossandregularnemesis.TylerlooksaskanceatHunt’sapproachtoeverythingfromalcoholtotheethicsofpolicework-andisregularlyoutragedbythetreatmentofWPCAnnieCartwright,whosepre-feministcomplicityintheforce’sbum-pinchingculturecauseshimunease.Buthealsoretainsasneakingadmirationforamansofascinatinglyshortonmodernmanners.



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“Whenwecameupwiththatcharacter,”saysGraham,“therewasfuninimaginingsomeonewiththatfreedomofmanouevre.Iwouldcertainlylovetodrinkasheavilyashimandnotworryaboutmyliver.Itwouldbenicetowakeupinthemorningwithastinkinghangover,grababottleofscotch,neckacoupleoflargeones,say,‘Ah-Ifeelbetterforthat,’andstartmyday.ButIwouldn’tdothat,becauseI’dworryalldaythatI’dbecomeanalcoholic,thatI’ddamagemyself,thatmymarriagewouldbreakup.Hedoesn’tthinkaboutthosethings,andthere’ssomethingfantasticallyappealingaboutthat.”

Hunt,heexplains,isahybridofinfluences.Intermsofitsbarebones,LifeOnMarsisawestern,withHuntcastintheroleofthesheriff(hencethecowboymovieposterssellotapedtohisofficewall).ThecharacterisalsoanobvioushomagetoJohnThaw’sportrayalofJackRegan,thealmostcomicallyuptightcopfromtheiconic70sshowTheSweeney.IntermsofhisrelationshipwithSimm’scharacter,Grahamsaysthereareshadesofthe70sTVversionofTheIncredibleHulk-reflectedinthenewseriesbytwoopeningepisodesinwhichHuntawakesTyler’s“innerbeast”,andSimm’sonce-upstandingcharacterthreatenstoturnunexpectedlycynicalandduplicitous.

“Hewasalsopartlybasedonafriendofmydad,fromwhenIwasakidinthe70s,”saysGraham.“Rememberthedayswhenyouhaduncleswhoweren’treallyuncles?ThiswasmyUncleJim.Heworeacamel-haircoat,andhe’dsaythingslike,‘Beagoodboyandgoandgetyouruncle’sPanatellas.’Hestankoffags,hedranklikeafish,andIthoughthewasfantastic.Lookingathim,Ijustthought,‘Whenyou’reanadult,allyoudoiswatchfootball,talkaboutyourcar,gotowork-whichisfine,‘cosyou’rewithotherblokes-andthengotothepubeverynight.’Anddon’tforget:childrenweren’tallowedinpubsthen.Theyseemedlikemagicalgrottos.”

PhilipGlenisterplaysHunt,andsaysthathisportrayalofthecharacteralsodrawsonafigurewhoseprogressthroughthe70stransformedhimintooneofBritain’smostrecognisablefaces.“BeforewestartedLifeOnMars,Iwasresearchingwhatpeoplelookedlikeupnorthbackthen,”heremembers.“IhappenedtobeinaBBCshop,andtherewasthisDVDofMatchOfTheDay-thebestofthe60s,70sand80s.Iboughtit,andthefirstdiscIplayedwasthe70sone.TherewasthisgreatmomentwhentheywereinterviewingBrianClough:himbehindhisdesk,andtheinterviewersaying,‘Whathappensifoneofyourplayersdisagreeswithyou?’Hepaused,andlookedatthisguy,andsaid,‘Nowlook,youngman-basically,theycometome,wetalkaboutitforanhalfanhour,andtheyrealiseIwasrightallalong.’Thatwasthekey:Ithought,‘That’sGeneHunt.’”

WhenbuildingupacompositepictureofSeventiesMan,youreturntimeandagaintofootball,thatgreattheatreofmalearchetypes.It’seasy,ofcourse,tolookbackon70ssoccerwithajumpers-for-goalpoastskindofromance,forgettingnotjusttheracism,hooligansandabsenceofwomenfromthestandsbutthefactthat,eventhen,fansmoanedaboutthecorruptingeffectsofbigmoneyandthepoisonouseffectsofcelebrity.Butinhindsight,twothingsstickout:thefactthatanarrayofstarplayersweresomedistancefromthecarefullymanagedone-manbrandsofthemoderngame;andthepresenceofasmallhandfulofmanagerswhoseloudmouthsandrough-hewnmediaskills-lightyearsfromthekindofmachine-likeefficiencyoozedbythelikesofArseneWengerandJoseMourinho-turnedthemintostars.

SuchisthesubstanceofTheDamnedUtd,DavidPeace’sbrilliantnovelaboutthesixweeksduringwhichBrianCloughmanagedthethen-mightyLeedsUnited,andseemedtosetaboutrunningtheclubintotheground.Withinitsstory-inwhichClough’salcohol-soakedtormentiscrystallisedinsuchfirst-personsentencesas,“Thesunisshining,theskyisblue,butit’sstillanotherbloodyuglyYorkshiremorningatthearse-endofAugustwhenIwakeupinmymodernluxuryhotelbed...feelinglikefuckingdogshit”-therelurkswhatonecritichascalledthe70s“formativemasculinity”,therenotonlyinClough’salmostcampmixtureofarrogance,sarcasmandbile,butinthecharactersoftheplayershebrieflycommanded.



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TheLeedsteamthatCloughtookoverhadjustbeencrownedleaguechampions,buttheyweredespisedas“dirtyLeeds”forthecynicismoftheirplay-aviewcapturedinascenefromthenovelinwhichCloughinstructshisnewchargestothrowalltheirtrophies“intothebiggestfuckingdustbinyoucanfind,becauseyou’veneverwonanyofthemfairly.”At30-oddyears’distance,theyalsosymboliseasportthenfestoonedwithgamblers,drinkersandsmokers,whoseoff-the-pitchactivitieswerenotthesubjectofeithertabloidexclusivesorthekindofsobstoriesweassociatewithfallentalentssuchasTonyAdamsandPaulGascoigne,butthestuffofabsolutenormality.(Theera-definingDutchmaestroJohannCruyff,letusnotforget,combinedatop-flightsoccercareerwitha20-a-dayfaghabit.)

Peace-whohaslivedinTokyoforthepast13years,andthusknowsverylittleaboutsuchmodernBritishtouchstonesasLifeOnMars-isatfirstreluctanttotalkaboutwhathisnovelsaysaboutmasculinity,claimingthathehasneverbeenthekindofwritertoapproachstorieswithanykindofhardenedagenda.Nonetheless,heacknowledgesthatatTheDamnedUtd’sheart,thereliesaface-offbetweenateamandmanagerbothdrivenbyverymaleimperatives.TheLeedsside,hesays,“weredisliked,andtheyfedoffbeingdisliked”.Clough,meanwhile,had“alwaysseenhimselfasagainstauthority.Anyoneinapositionofpower,fromclubchairmentotheFA,wastheretobangheadswith.Andwemisshim:wemissthatarrogance,andthatsenseofbeingarebel-tellingitlikeitisandnotcaringwhoyouupset.”

Inretrospect,SeventiesManfirstarrivedbackinthecultureinthemid-1990s.Hisexamplelurkedinallkindsofplaces:TheFastShowcharacterInspectorMonkfish(catchphrase:“Putyourknickersonandgoandmakemeacupoftea”),themane-likehairdoandboorishnessthatwerethecallingcardofLiamGallagher,theTVcophomageenactedinthevideoforTheBeastieBoys’1994hitSabotage,stillplayedendlesslyonmodernmusicchannels.ButhisdecisivecomebackwasprobablyachievedbyLoadedmagazine,backinthedayswhenitwasalotmorearchthanthecurrentversion,andsetoncelebratingwhatTimSouthwell-Loaded’sco-founder,andtheauthorofamemoirofthemagazine’searlydaysentitledGettingAwayWithIt-calls“thehighwaysandbywaysofBritishculture”.

“BothJames[Brown,Loadededitor]andIwereLeedsUnitedFans,andallLeeds’pastgloriesweretowardsthebackendofthe60sandearly70s,sowehadaveryromanticfascinationwiththattime,”hesays.“ThatwasthefirsttimeIhadanyheroes.Theplayerswerejustasfamousasfootballersarenow,buttheywerenowherenearasaffected.Now,almostfromthewordgo,footballersaresurroundedbyPRpeopleandagents,whotreatthemasabrandfromthemomentitlooksasifthere’salucrativecontractintheoffing.Thattakesalotofthecharacteroutofthings.

“ItwasabitlikewhatyousawinTheSweeney:working-classguyswhowereprettyflawed,andhaddubiouswaysofgettingthingsdone,butwereheroic-almostinspiteofthemselves.You’dliketothinkyoucouldgetawaywithityourself-beingsogoodatfootballthatyoucoulddrinkasmuchasyouwant,smokeasmuchasyouwantandthengambleallyourmoneyaway,becauseyouknowthatnextweekyou’regoingtoscoretwogoals,getyourbonusmoneyandbebackontrackagain.It’safool’sparadise,obviously-butthere’ssomethingveryalluringaboutit.Theywererisk-takers,thosepeople.”

Sowherearewenow?InthevariedresponsestoSeventiesMan-horror,irony-tingedadmiration,evenenvy-there’sanimplicationthathe’sprobablygoneforever,decisivelyreplacedasarolemodelbygentlermalestereotypes.WhenItalktoGermaineGreer,sheoutlinesthepowerfulforcesthatledtohisdemise-womengoingtowork,thedeclineofmanufacturing,andtheemasculatingeffectsofournowubiquitouscorporateculture,foreverembodiedbythecravenfigureofDavidBrent.ButshealsoclaimsthatsomeofthemodernfiguresheldtorepresentSeventiesMan’soppositearenotquiteasreconstructedaswethink.“LookatDavidBeckham,”shesays.“He’stheoriginalmetrosexual,butIwouldbetyouthatindoors,Davidrules.BecauseofthemarketingoftheBeckhams’image,thataspectofhimhasneverbeenhighlighted.”



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Thatmightbeso,butwithsomanyofSeventiesMan’saspects-thesmelloffag-ash,thesexism,thecompleteneglectofone’shealth-thesedaysrenderedsomewhatlessthanheroic,itseemsfairtoseehimasadinosaur-liketotemofhowmuchtheworldhaschanged.Evenintheeyesofthepeoplewhohavebroughthimback,anyoneclingingtotheideathatthe70swereatimeofunimpeachablemachogloryshouldpauseforthought.

“YoucanfeelacertainenvytowardssomeonelikeGeneHunt,”saysGraham,“butit’sveryhardtoknowhowmuchofthatisboundupwithnostalgia.Whenwethinkofthe70s,alotofusarethinkingofourchildhoods,andnothavingasmuchresponsibilityandworryingaboutthestateoftheworld.Youendupthinkingabouthisbehaviourasakindofinnocence.Butifheknewwhatweknow,hewouldn’tbehavelikethat.He’dseehewaspartofaproblem.”

AlittlelaterinourconversationGrahamgoesevenfurtherthanthat:“Therealityisthatinreallife,GeneHuntwouldprobablybeanuglyracist.Butyoucan’tdothatinashowwhereyouwantpeopletolikethemaincharacters.Butcertainlyinthenewserieshe’sverylazyaboutrace.That’swherewego.”

SuchisthefaultlineonwhichLifeonMars,forallitsbrilliance,sits:outrightracismwillputviewersoff,butoutright,sexismispresentedasakitschrelicofapastage.“Whatamazesme,”saysGraham,“isthatwhenwestartedthisshow,noonehadaproblemwiththesexism.Mostofmybossesarewomen,andnobodysaidtheywereuncomfortable.Why?Ithinkwefeel,rightlyorwrongly,thatwe’veovercomethat.”

Hereliesadebatethatrunswaydeeperthanfags,flaresandtimetravel.Nonetheless,inthemidstofSeventiesMan’sirony-tingedcomebackwe’dprobablydowelltoremembertheuglycultureherepresented,asSouthwell-andgivenhisCV,somepeoplemightfindthissurprising-pointsout.Ifwe’reeverindangeroflosingthatcrucialsenseofironicdistanceandportrayingSeventiesManasavaliant,pre-PCubermensch,hesays,itmightbeanideatoconsidertheuglycultureheprobablyrepresented.“Backintheearly70s,”hesays,“aslongasyouwerewithinagroupoffriends,youcouldbehaveprettymuchasyouwanted,andmaybethatwasn’tsogreat.It’sfunny:mymumanddadthinkthatbackthen,peoplewerealotmorepolite,andlistenedtotheirelders,andtroublewasalwaystakencareof.Butitmustalsohavebeenprettyhorrible-especiallyforwomen.That’sveryeasytoforget”*

©Copyright2007.TheGuardian.Allrightsreserved.



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The Times - 20/02/2007

JOHNSIMM:THANKGODITOOKTHATSCRIPTOUTOFTHEBINWhenJohnSimmwasfirstofferedtheleadinLife on Mars,hethoughttherolewas‘stupid’.ButtheshowhasgonefromculthittomainstreamsuccessbyAndrewBillen

WhenJohnSimmreceivedthescreenplayforthepilotofLifeonMarshereadthefirstthirdofitanddumpeditinthebin.Hehadgottowherehispotentialcharacter,theManchesterdetectiveSamTyler,hasacarcrashandwakesupin1973.

“Iwent,‘Er,what?’,andwentbacktoseeifI’dmissedsomething.Thenmyagentrangandsaid,‘Didyoufinishreadingthatthing?’Isaid,‘Noway.I’mnotdoingthat’.Hesaid,‘Why?’‘It’sjuststupid.I’veputitinthebin’.Hesaid,‘Takeitoutofthebinandfinishitbecauseit’snotstupid.It’sallrightactually’.

SoIdid,andthankGodIdid.I’msoglad.”

Gladheshouldbe,althoughheseemsevengladderthatitspunishingshootingscheduleisover.Itisverymuchnothiskindofthing.Hiskindofthingisqualitytelevisionofthegrim,does-you-goodkind:CrimeandPunishment(Dostoevsky),NeverNever(aboutacouncil-estateloanshark)andSexTraffic(aboutthetradeinEasternEuropeanwomen).Heprefersone-offstoseriesand,really,filmstotelevision.ButliketheBBCthrillerStateofPlay,inwhichhealsostarred,LifeonMarsisoneofthosehitsthatacceleratefromculttomainstreamandgivepopulismagoodnamealongtheway.IthasmadeSimmoneofBritain’shottestyoungactors.

ItellhimthatIrealisedLifeonMarswasgoingtobesuperiorstuffwhenTylernoticedsomethingdistantlyfamiliaronaSeventiespavementandaskedaloud:“Whateverhappenedtowhitedogshit?”“Icantellyouifyoulike,”Simmoffers.

Goonthen,Isay.“OK.Whitedogshitdisappearedbecausetheyusedtoputsomethinginthedogfood,somechalkything,andtheydon’tputitinanymore.”

Wasittoneutralisethesmell?“Don’tknow.ButI’vesaidthatlinetwice.IsaidthatlinefirstinTheLakes.JimmyMcGovernwrotethatline.”Soitwasatheft,wasit?“Idon’tknowifitwasatheft.It’sjustaveryvalidquestion.”

Simmhappilyswapsthistriviawithmeataveryhappymomentinhislife.Hiswife,theactressKateMagowan,hasdaysagogivenbirthtotheirsecondchild,adaughtercalledMolly,andtheyhavejustreturnedfromhospital.Iexpecthimtocancelbut,despitesleepdeprivation,heinsistsongoingaheadandwemeetatlunchtimeinapubneartheirhomeinCrouchEnd,NorthLondon.Asanactorhetendstoplayclenchedfistsofresentment,buttodayhelooksrelaxedandtouchinglyyounginhisjumperandovercoat,aManchesterUnitedlapelbadgesuggestingthatheisstillintouchwithhisinnersoccer-stickercollector.

Despiteareputationasataciturnandawkwardinterviewee,heisengagingandfranktothepointofself-mockery.

MaybeIshouldthankMolly’sarrivalforhisgoodmood,orperhaps,therearetwoJohnSimms.Infact,Iamsurethereareatleasttwo.Atalmosteverystageofhis36yearsheseemstohaveledduallives.Ifyouwereaprofilewriter,youmightevendrawacomparisonbetweenSimmandTyler,thecopperheplays,simultaneouslylivingverydifferentlives.



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HegrewupinNelson,amilltownnearBurnley,Lancashire,wherehelivedwithhistwinsistersinacouncilhomewithanoutsideloowhosechillhecanstillrecall.Hehasnocomplaintsabouthischildhoodbutitwasclearlynotopulent,andNelson,Simmsays,isadepressinglittletowntovisitthesedays.Whenhewas11hisparentsseparatedforfiveyearsandhislifedividedforthefirsttime.Weekdayshespentathomewithhismother;theweekends,however,belongedtohisfather,Ron,whoalsoledtwolives,oneasawelderandtheotherasaclubperformer.Fatherandsonbecameanact,Us2,inwhichtheysangEverlyBrothersandBeatlessongsonFriday,SaturdayandSundaynights.“NobodyatschoolknewIdidit.Itwasverystrange.”Adoublelife?“Itwasastrangelifereally,becauseIneverhadanyChristmasEveorNewYear’sEveoranyweekends.

Itmakesyougrowup,andcertainlyopensyoureyestoalotofthings.”

AlthoughSimmhasonlyrelativelyrecentlygivenuphismusicalcareer-hisbandMagicAlexis,alas,nomore-itwasactingthattrulycaughthisteenageimagination.Aninspirationalteacher,BrianWellock,whosadlydiedatChristmas,putittoSimmthatifhewantedtobecomeaprofessionalactor,hewouldhavetogetoutofNelson.“HepulledsomestringsandgotmeintocollegeinBlackpool.

He’sthereasonIbecameanactorreally.”

Atcollegehestudiedmusicaltheatreandlearntenoughtoknowhedidnotlikeit.“Butitwasgreatactually,losingmyvirginityandgettingdrunkandjusthavingalaugh.”The“angst”,asheputsit,startedwhen,attheageof18,hecametostudyattheDramaCentreLondon.Mostofthestudentsweresouthern,middleclass,betteroffandbetterread.“Iwas,”hesays,“afishoutofwater.”

Insteadofpretendingtobeoneofthem,hebecamedeterminedtokeephisnortherness.ThiswasaneraofMancunianhegemony-UnitedinthePremiership,baggydancemusicintheclubs-andhewasproudofit.“Ireallyresistedtryingtolosemyaccent.ItriedtolearnRPasaregionalaccentandtokeepmyown,althoughit’sverywatereddownnow,that’sinevitable.”Byday,helearntdramatheory,readtheclassicsandimmersedhimselfintheMethodschool;bynight,intheclubsandpubs,hewassomethingmoreliketheladhehadbeeninLancashire.

ItwasthenorthernSimmtheywantedwhenitcametocastingapsychoticteenagerinCrackerin1995andwhotwoyearslaterwonthestarringroleinTheLakes,anotherJimmyMcGoverncreation.HiscockyScouser,DannyKavanagh,strandedinWordsworthcountry,wasembracedbythenation.Heshouldhaverevelledintheinstantstardom.InsteadinhishotelinUllswaterhefeltastrappedasDanny.

“Istartedtogoabitmad,abitbonkers.Iwassmokingtoomuchdopeandthatdidn’thelp.Youknow,Iwasstircrazy,butitwasgoodforthepart.Itwasgreatforthepart.Fantastic!Anditwaswonderful,thatfirstseries.AndIdomeanthefirstseries,becauseI’mnotsureaboutthesecond.”

McGovern,hesays,laterapologisedtohimfortheweaknessofthesecond’sfranticplotandadmittedthatheshouldhavewrittenmoreoftheepisodes.ItisobviousthatSimmholdstheworkhedoesuptothehigheststandards.AlookthroughhisCVrevealstheodddisappointment,butnocrowd-pleasingorcynicalchoices.Thewritersthatrecurarethebestinthebusiness:McGovern,TonyMarchant,PaulAbbott,AbiMorgan.TherearerumoursthathewillappearinthenextroundofDoctorWho,whichwouldmeanthatRussellT.Daviesgetsaddedtothelist.

Yethardasheworked,heworkedjustashardhavingfun,carvingforhimselfareputationasoneofthegreatclubbersoftheNineties,agood-timeguywhoevendatedaSpiceGirl(EmmaBunton).“Isortofwentabitbonkersinthe1990sandgotcarriedawaywithitall.Ijusthidbehindthishazeofclubbing,clubbingandjusthedonism.Ijustwentabitcrazy.”Why?“Idon’tknow.Iguesseverybodydoesalittlebit.AndIhadagreattime.Iwasinabandandwetouredanditwasrock’n’roll.Ihadagreattime.”



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Soitwasn’tMyDrugsHell?“No.Imean,therewerecertaintimeswhenitwasMyDrugsHellbut,onthewhole,itwasway-hey.Strangelyenough,HumanTrafficstoppedit.Icouldn’tgooutafterthat.”Thiswasthe1999filminwhichheplayedJip,apill-poppingraver.“EverybodywhogoesclubbinghasseenHumanTrafficandiftheyseeyouinaclub,andyou’refromHumanTraffic,everyone’swastedanywayandtheystartshoutinglinesatyou.Afterawhileitruinstheevening.I’dgetrecognisedallthetime,atanyclub.Suddenlyyou’resurrounded.SoIdecidedI’dgiveitup.”

NotlongafterwardshemetKate,andnotlongafterthatRyanwasborn.Hesayshisfriendsstillparty“full-on”,butmorerarelynow,andtheystayin.ButJustinKerrigan’sfilmhadasecondunexpectedconsequence:itcuredhim,heclaims,ofhisambition.“InmytwentiesIthoughtIwasgoingtobelikeTomCruise.IthoughtIwasgoingtobemassivelyfamous.IthoughtthatitwouldbelikewhathappenedtoEwanMcGregor.Iwantedallornothing.AndI’mstillabitkindof,youknow,abitpissedoffthatitdidn’thappen.IwasinHumanTrafficinsteadofTrainspotting.Igotthewrongfilm.Myambitionkindofwent.Idon’tknowwhen,butitwent.”

AfterthesuccessofStateofPlayin2003hewenttoHollywoodandhadafewmeetings,butintheendcouldnotstomachtoutinghimselfaround.“That’sprobablywhenIknewmyambitionhadgone,becauseIthoughtI’ddonetoomuchtobenowstartingfromscratchandqueueingupwithahundredotherpeoplewithascriptoutsideadoorandgoingincold,nobodyknowswhoIam,andauditioning.”

ButhashereallyburiedhisdreamofHollywood?WhenUniversalboughttherightstoturntheBBC’sStateofPlayintoafilm,theycastBradPittinSimm’srole,thejournalistCalMcCaffrey.SimmmadeajoketoareporteraboutPitt’ssuitability.Hesaystheremarkwastakenfartooseriously.HeadmiresPitt,yetadmitsthatheisunlikelytoseethemovie.“I’dprobablysittheresquirmingandthinking,‘Ah,that’smypart’.There’salittlebitofme,obviously,that’sgoingtobeabitlikethat.Buthey,youknow,BradPitt’sfantastic.”

Duringourtimetogether,SimmsaysoneofthemosthonestthingsIhaveeverheardfromaninterviewee.“Idon’tactuallyenjoyworking.IenjoyitwhensomethingcomesoutandIwatchitonTV,buttheactualprocessofitisjustworktomenow.Myguiltiestpleasureisidleness.Ilovedoingnothing.IfIcould,I’djustdonothing.IfIcouldI’dretiretomorrow,ifIhadenoughmoney,I’djuststop.”

ButhereIreturntothethemeofhisconflictingpersonalities.FornotmuchlaterheisenthusingaboutTheYellowHouse,aChannel4filminwhichheplaysVanGoghandhowit’sWithnailandIexceptthatitissetin19th-centuryArles.

Andthenheistellingmehowhehaselectedtostarinaplay,Elling,attheBushTheatreinLondoninApril.Itturnsoutthat,forallhisexcitementaboutlittleRyanandtinyMolly,allhisloveofidleness,heisactuallygoingtobeworkingratherhardforthenextfewmonths.

AndLifeonMars?“That’sdonenow.Neveragain.”Thefinalepisodewillbe,heinsists,thefinalepisode,andwillresolveeverything.“IgiveeverythingIcantoeverypartIplay.Ireallytry,butit’saverytoughjob,LifeonMars.I’mineverysinglesceneanditisquitehardwork,forsixmonths,beingawayfromhomewhenyouhaveafamily.Andthistime,intheirwisdom,theygaveuslessmoneytomakeahitshow.Idon’tknowhowtheyworkthatout.Iguesstheygetaresulteventhoughwehavetoworkthatlittlebitharder.Asifitweren’thardenoughthefirsttime.”

Itisoddtalkingtothestarofashowwhoislessofafanofitthanyouandeveryoneelseyouknow.EvenSheilaHancockcameuptohimtosayhowmuchherlatehusband,JohnThaw,whowasJackReganinTheSweeney,whichLifeonMarsparodies,wouldhaveadoredit.I’msurethatSimmisabsolutelysincerewhenhesaysthatheisgladtobeshotofit,butIamalsosurethatachunkofhimwouldfeelprettybruisedifTomCruiseendedupasSamTylerinamovieversion.JohnSimmknowsexactlywhichscriptstokeepinthebinandwhich,ifretrieved,mayyetmakehimthestarthatsomeimportantpartofhimstillwantstobe.

©2007TimesNewspapersLimited.Allrightsreserved



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Daily Express - 09/03/2007

MARSMACHINEUPFORSALEbyKathrynSpencer&JulieCarpenter

WhileviewersofacclaimedBBCseriesLifeOnMarsareleftguessingwhetheritsdepictionofpolicelifein1973issimplyafigmentofits“time-travelling”heroSamTyler’simagination,theshow’siconicFordCortinaisverymuchtherealthing.

NowthecarinwhichTyler(JohnSimm)andhisgruffcamel-coatedbossGeneHunt(PhilipGlenister)pursuesideburnedandflared-trouseredvillainsisbeingauctionedoneBayinaidofComicRelief.

Thelisting,purportedlywrittenbyHunt,says:“Youarelookingata19732.0LMk3Cortina2000Eincopperbronzemetallicpaint.Veryclassy.Thehandsomespecimenofmanhoodinthecamelcoatisme:DCIGeneHunt(sorryladies,I’mnotforsale).Thepasty-facedtwonkisDISamTyler.ThecarhasasmallmarkonthebonnetwhereTylerdecidedtoactuallytrytocatchanonceandclimbedalloverit,plusafewslightscratchesonthesidewhereIslidherintosomebinsduringapursuit.”Withfivedaystogo,thebiddinghasreachednearly£7,000.

©2007ExpressNewspapers

Daily Star - 17/02/2007

IT’SMARSATTACKSbyPeterDyke

Fansofsci-ficophitLifeOnMarshavebeenbreakingthelawtogettheirhandsonahighly-prizedpieceofmemorabiliafromtheTVshow.TheyhavebeenvandalisingbusshelterstoripoffposterspromotingthenewseriesoftheBBC1seriesstarringJohnSimm,36,ascopperSamTylerandPhilGlenister,44,ascolleagueGeneHunt.

BBCchiefsproducedaneye-catchingadforthepolicedrama-aboutmodern-daycopTylerwhogetshitbyacarandwakesupinthe1970s-underthebanner“BackInTheNickOfTime”.Theyevenusedanoldstyle70sBBCglobelogofortheposterswhichwerepasteduponbusshelterbillboardsaroundtheUK.

Buttheeye-catchingpostersturnedouttobemust-haveitemsforenthusiasticfansofthehitshow.Theyhavebeensmashingthroughtheglassandnickingthem-rightinfrontofbuspassengers.

“Thedemandforthesepostershasbeenoverwhelming,“saidashowspokesmanlastnight.“SomefanscontactedtheBBCwantingcopies.Wesentouttheoneswehadleftandnowtheyareallgone.Wewouldnotcondonestealingthem.

“WhatwouldGeneHuntsayaboutpeoplebreakingthelaw?”FansaregoingmadforLifeOnMarsmemorabilia.CopiesofaspoofbookletbyTVcharacterGeneHunt-TheRulesofModernDayPolicing-havealreadymadetheirwayontoeBayandotheritemsaresettofollow.

©ExpressNewspapers2007



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Guardian - 19/02/2007

ORGANGRINDER:VIEWSFROMTHEBLOG:THEVERDICTONTHEFIRSTNIGHTOFLIFEONMARS

→It’slikeonelongepisodeofQuantumLeap-he’sevencalledSam!Ithoughtitwasalrightthoughmilo2020

→JohnSimmrunsaroundwithaheadache.DavidBowieandEltonJohngetevenricherfromthesoundtrack.DBlack

→OneofthebestseriesevertransmittedbytheBeeb.GoodfunintheoldSweeneystylewithalickofsci-fiontop.Classic!nedwaterman

→OneofthethingsthatirritatedmeaboutlastseasonwasthatSamTylerandGeneHunt’srelationshiponlyeverdevelopedinthecourseofeachepisode,neveroverthecourseoftheseason.Everyepisodewouldbeginwiththematloggerheads-andalwaysoverthesameissue,namely,howscrupulouslytofollowofficialpoliceprocedure-andendwitheachofthemhavinglearnttobealittlemoreflexible.Theselessonswouldalwaysbeforgottenbythebeginningofthenextepisode,andSamandGenewouldthenhavetore-learnthemalloveragain.Anditdoesn’tmerelyapplytotherelationshipbetweenSamandGene.GeneandhismalecronieshavetobeconvincedoverandoveragainthatAnnieCartwrightisn’tjustaprettyface,thatforensicinvestigativetechniquesmayhavearoletoplayinsolvingcrimes,etc.It’sasthoughthewriters,havingcomeupwithawinningformulaforasingleepisode,havedecidedtosticktoitreligiously,ignoringtheratherobviousfactthatitrenderstheseriesasawholecompletelyimplausible(unlessallthecharactersaresupposedtobesufferingfromsomeweirdformofpartialamnesia).tobyyoung

→The“I’mnotmad,he’smadconclusion”tiedto“canIhaveacigarette?”escapeisoneoftheworstexamplesoflazywritingthatI’veseeninawhile.joeyfish

→NevermindaboutLifeOnMars.There’sareal-lifedramaunfoldingrighthereonthisblog.NancyBanks-Smithwatchout!TobyYoungisclearlyafteryourjob.LuckilyforNancy,Toby’sobservationsareextraordinarilydull.Don’tgiveupthedayjobMrYoung.Sticktowhatyou’regoodat-flopplays.Spart

→Nodevelopment?SamnearlykissesWPCAnnie,andthenbetraysherbydenyinghistime-travelstorypurelytogetCranesectioned.Heshowshershecan’ttrusthim.That’sonerelationshipthathaschangeddefinitively.AndSamevenmanagestohorrifyHuntandhiscolleagueswiththelengthshe’llgototocatchCrane.Notthegreatestseriesopener,buttosayit’sformulaicisjustwrong.Noweveryoneshutup,orI’llcomeroundandtreadonyourtoys.Nndroid2

→Isitpossiblethatlastnightwasalsoa“newreadersstarthere”(touseanewspaperphrase)?Ididn’twatchseasonone,butwaspersuadedintoseriestwobythegoodpressaroundthefirst.Ifithadbeenanymorecomplicatedandnotstucktoitsbasicdynamics,I’dhavebeensolost,I’dhavehadtoturnoff.Asitwas,IwassurprisedhowlittleIneededtoknow,“MynameisSamTyler,IhadanaccidentandIwokeupin1973”seemedtosufficeforarecapofthelastseason.Nowitmaybethatthatmakesforaveryformulaicandunsatisfyinglong-termseries.It’squiteAmericantolimityourcharacterdevelopmentandsticktoyourformulasothateachepisodesortofstandsalone,becauseitworkswhentheymoveintosyndicationandstartbeingshownoutoforder.GiventhatLifeonMarsisonlyevergoingtobetwoseries,seemsliketheydon’tneedtoworryaboutthat.janinegibson

→Didn’tTobyYoungdieonlastSunday’s24?IswearIsawhimthereasJackBauer’sevilbrother.IenjoyLifeonMarsbutcouldn’tgiveamonkey’saboutSam’ssituation.GeneHuntisthestar.BobbyBox

©Copyright2007.TheGuardian.Allrightsreserved.



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DailyMail-15/02/2007

OHFORTHE70S,WHENREALMENRULEDANDPOLITICALCORRECTNESSWASUNKNOWN.ANDASFORTHEWOMEN…AGLORIOUSLYUN-PCTRIBUTETOTHELATESTCULTCOPSHOWByJamesDelingpole

Theworld’sgettingtougherandthepolicehavetomatchit.Peoplewantthejobdoneandtheydon’twanttoknowhow!SosaidBritain’smostpopularTVcopthisweek--andwhichofuswoulddisagree?

Wedon’twantourpoliceforcesrunbylily-liveredsociologygraduates,bangingonabout‘institutionalracism’andpretendingcrimeis‘society’sfault’.Wedon’twantcoppersspendingmoretimeondiversityawarenesscoursesandfillingoutformsintriplicatethantheydochasingcriminals.

Whatwewantisthesortofoldfashioned,no-nonsenserozzerwhosolvesthecrimequickly,getsanotherbadguy--anybadguy,itdoesn’tmuchmatterwhich--offthestreets,andenablesustosleepthatlittlebitmoresafelyinourbedsatnight.Whatwewant,infact,issomeonelikeDCIGeneHunt.

TheproblemwithDCIHunt,unfortunately,isthathedoesn’texist.Rather,asbrilliantlyplayedbyPhilipGlenister,heistheunlikelyanti-heroofLifeOnMars--probablythemostacclaimedhome-grownBritishdetectiveshowsinceTheSweeney--whosesecondseriesstartedonBBC1onTuesday.

Whatbeganasanobscure,cultishdramaaboutmoderndaydetectiveSamTyler(JohnSimm),whowakesafteracarcrashtofindhimselflivingandworkingbackingrimy,lowwatt,1973Manchester,hasturnedintooneoftheBBC’sbiggestratingshits,attractingaudiencesofsevenmillionandwinninganInternationalEmmyforbestdramaseries.

Forsome,theprogramme’sappealmaylieinitsquirky,scifi,time-travelelement,orthepsychologicaldramaasTylertriestoclawhiswayoutofhiscoma,backtothemodernday.

Formostofus,though,itsappealismuchmorebasic:LifeOnMarsisahilarious,unapologetic,red-bloodedcelebrationoftheSeventiesinalltheirpoliticallyincorrectglory.

Itsingsthepraisesofanerawhenrealmenwithhairysideburnscouldstilldrivetheirsouped-upFordCortinasatspeed,sinkfivepintsandapackofEmbassydowntheboozeratlunchtimewithoutworryingaboutsafedrinkdrivinglimitsorpassivesmoking,andstaggerbacktodeliverafewfruityone-linerstothebirdsintheofficewithnofearofbeinghadupforsexualharassment.

Itrecallsthelong-lost,innocenttimewhenanevening’shomeentertainmentcomprisedacoupleofcansofWatney’sPartySevens;wheneveryone,buteveryone,watchedMorecambeandWise;whenanIRApubblast,notanAlQaedadirtybomb,wastheworstterroristatrocityanyonecouldimagine;whenWagonWheelsandCurlyWurliesweretwicethesizetheyaretoday;whenthechartswerefilledwithpropermusicsuchasDavidBowieandRoxyMusic,andnoneofthatcacophonousstufflikehouseandgarageanddeathmetalmusic.

Aboveall,itcelebratesagolden(or,maybe,tarnishedbronze)ageofBritishpolicing,asembodiedbytheflawed,butessentiallyheroicfigureofDCIGeneHunt.

Yes,hemaybeafoul-mouthed,sexistpig;sure,hemightnotbetooaversetotakingtheoddbackhander;granted,hiscavalierattitudetothenicetiesofpoliceprocedureprobablywouldn’tpassmusterwiththemodernCrownProsecutionService.But,bygosh,ishegoodatbeatingupcriminals,thenfittingthemupandkeepingthemwheretheybelong:inprison.



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QuitehowfartheBBCmeanttoendorsetheseprehistoricsocio-politicalattitudesisn’tclear.ButitseemslikelythatitspoliticallycorrectsympathiesarerathermoreintunewiththoseofSamTyler,theright-on,by-the-book,post-MacphersonReport,moderncopper,whosejobineachepisode,istorollhiseyesandlookaghastattheappallingsexism/corruption/rule-bending/mindlessthuggeryofhisunreconstructedSeventiescounterparts.

PerhapsthisishowtheBBCoriginallyimagineditsaudiencewouldthink,too.PerhapsitwantedustolookatscenesliketheonewhereWPCAnnieCartwrightispromotedtodetectiveandthefirstremarkfromoneofhercolleaguesis‘Nicearse,love’,andtosaytoourselves:‘Thankgoodnesswe’repastthatterribleerawhencasualsexismwassorife!’

Butwhatmostofusactuallythink--includingthemajorityoffemaleviewers,Isuspect--is:‘Howmuchmoreliberatedourlivesusedtobeinthedaysbeforetheover-weeningstatestartedtomuscleinoneveryaspectofhumanbehaviour.

‘Howmucheasier,quickerandcheaper,whenwomencouldrespondtoasexistremarknotwithatriptotheindustrialtribunal,butwithasarcasticrejoinderorasharpslap.’

Theseviewsareevensharedbyitsstars.PoorJohnSimmissaidtobesickofplayingsuchaworthy,politicallycorrectdrip.

‘I’mnot****ingsayingthat!Wimp!’hehasoftenbeenheardtocomplainonset.

Glenister,meanwhile,admitsrelishingarolewhichcallsforhimtopunchbaddies’lightsoutateveryopportunity,whileinthosepre-Thatcherdaysutteringlineslike:‘AslongasI’vegotaholeinmyarse,therewillneverbeafemalePrimeMinister.’

Theshow’sgreatachievementhesays,is‘tohavegotPlanetMaleon-board’.Normally,thesedaysit’swomenwhowatchmostTVdrama.ButLifeOnMars’sblendoflovinglydrawnSeventiesdetail,classicmotors,groovysoundtrackandSweeney-stylefisticuffshaveprovedawinningformula.

Theseriesdoesn’ttrytopretendthateverythingintheSeventieswasrosy.Oneaspectofthedecadeitsset-designerscapturesuperblyistheperiod’srelativepovertyandgrimness.

Thelightingwasmuchpoorer(especiallyduringthepowercuts),allofficeslookedthesame(grim,paper-strewn,uniformlygrey)andeveryothermanseemedtowearthesameuglybrownsuitanduglierkippertie.

Yet‘thedecadethattasteforgot’alsohadaseedyglamourwhich--especiallyfromtheperspectiveoftoday’spristine,health-and-safety-obsessed,clean-livingNoughties--seemsdesperatelyattractive.

Ambivalence

Menwerenotafraidtolookmachointheirspivvy,camelcoatsandleatherjackets;girlssawnoshameinglammingthemselvesupasgaudydollybirdswithfartoomuchmakeupandimprobablehair-dos;pubswereforsmokingandgettingdrunkin;carsfordrivingfastin;lifewasforliving,notforagonisingendlesslyovercarbonfootprints,pesticides,wheatallergiesorhumanrights.

Tenyearsintoprobablythemostmicro-managerial,nannyishlyinterfering,puritanicalpoliticalregimesBritainhasexperiencedsincethedaysofCromwell’sCommonwealth,weareconstantlybeinginvitedbyourNewLabourrulerstoadmirehowmuchbetter,fairerandhappierlifehasbecomethankstotheirendlesssociallegislation.Buthasitreally?



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Forme,oneofthekeyscenesinthefirstserieswastheonewhereGeneHuntgoestovisitafriendinhospitalandisshown,underthewardsister’sdisapprovingeye,casuallystubbingouthiscigaretteonthepristinefloor.ItcapturedperfectlyLifeOnMars’swinningambivalencetowardstheera.

Ontheonehand,itinvitedustohaveawrysmileattheextraordinaryideathat,asrecentlyastheSeventies,ourhospitalsoperatedsocheerfullycavalierapolicyonsmokinginthewards.

Ontheother,itcheekilyhintedthatwhilehospitalsmighthavebeensmokierinthosedays,theywerealsogenerallyalotcleanerandbetterrun,thankstothepresenceoneverywardofastentorianMatron.

Whichwouldyouratherhave,itslylyasked.Ahintofpassivesmoke?OrMRSA?

©2007AssociatedNewspapers.Allrightsreserved



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London Evening Standard - 11/04/2007

THERE IS LIFE AFTER MARS FOR STARS OF HIT TIME-TRAVEL SERIESBy Alexa Baracaia

Life On Mars may have ended, but its stars have lined up an impressive raft of projects on the back of the show’s success.

Philip Glenister, who played unreconstructed Seventies copper Gene Hunt in the hit time-travel drama, will repeat his role in a spin-off series, Ashes To Ashes, set in London in the Eighties, the BBC confirmed today. Glenister will appear along Life On Mars co-stars Dean Andrews, who played DS Ray Carling, and Marshall Lancaster, who played DC Chris Skelton. In the new series, Hunt swaps his Ford Cortina for an Audi Quattro when he is lured from Manchester by the Met to take on the “southern nancy criminal scum”. In another time-travel twist, a female detective chief inspector, Alex Drake*, is mysteriously transported from 2008 to 1981.

Meanwhile, Andrews has also been cast as a union worker in the new series of Jimmy McGovern’s BBC drama series The Street, while Lancaster will take a lead role in a new production at York’s Theatre Royal.

Glenister, 44, also starts filming this month for a role in a BBC1 period drama costarring Dame Judi Dench. He will play a “gentleman reformer” in Cranford Chronicles, a five-part adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell’s novel about the 19th-century Cheshire town on the cusp of social change. “It’s a bit of a change from a misogynistic Seventies copper to a 19th-century gentleman but I’m looking forward to it,” said Glenister.

John Simm, who played Life On Mars’s Sam Tyler, the modern-day Manchester policeman who found himself in 1973, will be in the finale of the current series of Doctor Who as the sinister Mr Saxon – who will be revealed as the time lord’s arch-enemy The Master. He is also set to star in a new play at London’s Bush Theatre this month. Simm, 36, will play the lead in Elling, a stage version of the 2001 Oscar-nominated Norwegian film about a would-be poet sent to live in an institution when his mother dies.

Liz White, 28, who played policewoman Annie Cartwright, is enjoying critical success playing a young wife in Dying For It at the Almeida Theatre in Islington.

Millions tuned in last night for the final episode of Life On Mars, to see Sam Tyler wake from his coma in 2006 – but choose to “return” to 1973 by throwing himself off a building.

© 2007 Associated Newspapers. All rights reserved. Not to be used, copied or reproduced in any way without permission of the copyright holder

* [Drake has yet to be cast, but she will be a single mother who finds herself in the 80s after being involved in an accident trying to escape kidnappers who abducted her and her daughter. Friction builds up between her and DCI Hunt which is more than just a professional tension.]



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Guardian - 11/04/2007 Features Pages

IS THERE LIFE AFTER LIFE ON MARS?by James Donaghy

If some crazed scientist were to genetically engineer a drama to have an obsessive cult fanbase it would come out looking like Life on Mars. Combining the best elements of Doctor Who, Donnie Darko and The Sweeney with a teasing mystery at its heart, it practically demands you engage with it in a way you don’t with other shows.

Last night’s breathless climax arguably proved less inventive than some of theories that have been circulating on Life on Mars online communities. Gene Hunt was driving the car that put Sam Tyler in his coma. Sam is his own father. Gene Hunt is the one in a coma and it’s all in his head. Rarely has a TV programme been picked over in such forensic detail. Like Star Trek, Doctor Who and Buffy before it, it has a legion of fans who know the show better than its creators. With a possible feature film and an American re-imagining in the pipeline, not to mention Ashes to Ashes, an 80s spin-off for Gene Hunt, the show’s DVD afterlife looks set to be a lengthy and intriguing one. For now, though, the fans must content themselves with their current favourite online sport – unearthing Life on Mars’s anachronistic slips. Here, then, is small selection:

The Mancunian Way: When Sam wakes up in 1973 he is on the Mancunian Way building site. This road was completed in 1967.The Ford Cortina : The dashboard from Gene Hunt’s iconic Cortina is from a Mark 4 model, which only started production in 1976.The CCTV camera: As episode eight of season one ends, a CCTV camera is clearly visible as the characters drive away.The Three Degrees song : As the officers enter the casino in the series two opener, The Three Degrees’ Year of Decision plays. It was not released until 1974.The WPC : Female police officers like Annie Cartwright were not referred to as WPCs until 1975. The correct 1973 term is PW (police woman).The Watch: Sam’s clunky Casio, a gold digital/analogue, did not make an appearance until the mid-80s.The Dishes: Observant viewers have noticed some houses sporting satellite dishes.

© Copyright 2007. The Guardian. All rights reservedNot to be used, copied or reproduced in any way without permission of the copyright holder

Please note that the Radio Times feature overleaf is copyright Radio Times and the usual copyright restrictions apply.

(www.radiotimes.com

10-16 FEBRUARY 2007 98p

TRAVEL ThRough TimE WiTh JohN Simm AND PhiLiP gLENiSTER! JuST oPEN hERE...

“I’m Gene Hunt. Your DCI. And it’s 1973. Nearly dinner time.

I’m havin’ hoops“

PRimEVAL Is this ITV1’s answer to Doctor Who?

ThE VERDicTWe join the celebrityjurors in court

Tuesday BBC1

Lifeon mars!

|10-16 February 1973 Price 5p

INSIDE: Young snooker star “Hurricane” Higgins discusses his preparations for Pot Black

Stratford Johns talks about his latest role in Barlow at Large

Life on MarsTelevision’s top coppers John Simm and Philip Glenister return in their hit drama series Tuesday BBC1 Colour

life on mars drama series 2aikamuna.org/snowgrouse/lom/s2promo.pdf · episode 1 despite eerie...

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