by
GilraenH
@ 15/09/07 - 18:45:39
Keeley Hawes (Spooks) has beaten hundreds of hopefuls to don her leg warmers and play ambitious, psychological profiler, DI Alex Drake who, when finding herself stuck in 1981, takes on the infamous DCI Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister) in Ashes To Ashes, the eagerly-anticipated sequel to Life On Mars, it was announced today.

Alex has rapidly risen through the ranks of the Met in the modern world of 2008.
However, she is ripped from her current world of sexual equality and respect and finds herself faced with the boorish Gene in a two-tone, New Romantic, Eighties London with a soundtrack of Adam Ant, Roxy Music and The Human League ringing in her ears.
Today, Keeley said: "I'm thrilled to be playing Alex. She's a fantastic character and will be a force to be reckoned with as far as Gene Hunt is concerned; the two of them locking horns in the Eighties will certainly be a sight to behold, never mind the shoulder pads."
Oh - and I heard a rumour that the US version of Life on Mars is being written by the same people who wrote the UK versions, and that COLM MEANEY (ex Star Trek) is to star in the 'equivalent' role to Gene Hunt. Cool!!

Colm Meaney is in final talks to star opposite fellow Dublin actor Jason O'Mara in the pilot episode of the American version of the hit BBC series 'Life on Mars'.
O'Mara will play Sam Tyler, the modern-day detective who is transported back to 1972; the character was played in the BBC series by John Simm.
The Hollywood Reporter says Meaney will play Detective Hunt, the uncouth head of the homicide unit in 1972 who clashes with Sam; the character was played in the BBC series by Philip Glenister.