This follow up to 'Life On Mars' sees the return of DCI Gene Hunt But he's no longer the self-styled 'Sheriff Of Manchester' - drawn by the action and intrigue of the London Met, Gene's turned his attentions to taking on the 'southern nancy' criminal scum! He is joined by his faithful sidekicks Ray Carling and Chris Skelton. This time it's a female detective, DCI Alex Drake, who's thrown into the mix, hurled back from 2008 after a near fatal attack in the line of duty. "Ashes To Ashes" lacks the originality that made 'Life On Mars' such a delight (and in all honesty the rather more convincing turmoil of John Simm's character) but as a likeable pastiche of 70s and 80s cop drama it still does the business.