AshesToAshes.TV is a fan-blog dedicated to all things, Ashes To Ashes. The site covers the original BBC series Ashes To Ashes, spin-off of the cult series Life On Mars. It also covers general news about casting, merchandise, fanclubs, websites and other related news.

Friday, April 27, 2007

Downloadables #1

Do you like the new logo? If your answer is yes, that's great. I've made it available for you as a desktop, this will be the first of a range of downloadable goodies. In addition to this I am hoping to put up some screensavers, icons and other items.

The official Ashes To Ashes site, when it goes live will more than likely put up some goodies for you. As was done with Life On Mars, but while we all wait for them, here is the first of mine. Hope you like it, its been done at 800x600 resolution. Cheers,



(Simply click the image, wait for the larger version to appear, right click and select "Save Picture As . . .". What could be simpler, even Chris Skelton could do it.)

Thursday, April 26, 2007

A2A vs LOM - known differences and similarities

I promised this a few posts ago, and didn't deliver. So here it is a little late, but still providing the needed details. As time progresses and more knowledge comes to hand, I will expand on this and edit it where necessary.

A2A: Set in 2008
LOM: Set in 2006

A2A: Named after Ashes To Ashes by David Bowie
LOM: Named after Life On Mars by David Bowie

A2A: DCI Alex Drake has an accident and wakes up in 1981
LOM: DCI Sam Tyler has an accident and wakes up in 1973

A2A: Alex is a DI in 1981 under DCI Gene Hunt (London)
LOM: Sam is a DI in 1973 under DCI Gene Hunt (Manchester)

A2A: Team - Gene Hunt, Alex Drake, Chris Skelton & Ray Carling
LOM: Team - Gene Hunt, Sam Tyler, Chris Skelton, Ray Carling & Annie Cartwright

A2A: Car - Fluroescent Orange Audi Quattro
LOM: Car - Brown Ford Cortina

A2A: Location - Brixton
LOM: Location - Manchester

A2A: Alex Drake is a single mother in 2008
LOM: Sam Tyler has a girlfriend in 2006 (Mya)

A2A: Chris has a girlfriend and is a Div.
LOM: Chris is single and a Div.

A2A: Features music from The Human League, Adam & the Ants, Roxy Music & others
LOM: Features music from The Sweet, David Bowie, Slade, T-Rex & others

A2A: Crimes solved by utilizing computer systems full of data (3 Kilobytes)
LOM: Crimes solved with the aid of filling cabinets full of paper

Not a great deal there to tell you so far, but this will be bookmarked in the links bar. It will also be frequently updated, so keep checking back. If there is any part of it, that you feel is wrong or you have something to add, please email me at the address listed underneath the Chatbox. 'Til next next time Martians, peace.




Cyberman

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

The Bowie Factor

Hello again, two posts ago I gave you the lyrics to David Bowies' Ashes To Ashes. As the series is named after the song, and was incidentally released on the 1st of August 1980 not in 1981 which the series is set. I have decided to give you the video, featuring Bowie in his famously outlandish attire.

Bowies' clothes in the video are no real indication as to what to expect of the shows featured clothing. Nobody roamed the streets in clown costumes or dressed as astronauts. What we can look forward to though is Ray sporting a perm, which will more than likely make him look like Prince than David Bowie. Not that I am dissin' David Bowie's dress sense, but many would.

Any way, here is David Bowies' Ashes To Ashes, I hope you enjoy it. Before you watch it though ponder this, Marshall Lancaster (Chris Skelton in the show) and David Bowie share one strange oddity they both have two different coloured eyes. Imagine how this could be recreated in the show, 'til next time people.





Cyberman

Sam Tyler in A2A?

Will Sam Tyler (John Simm), be making an appearance in the continuing adventures of Gene Hunt? That's question on the end of everyone's tongues, at present. The answer according to Matthew Graham (Series Creator) is quite simply, no. Graham stated recently in an interview with the Daily Mirror, that when Sam Tyler jumped off the roof of the station in 2006, he killed himself.

"What I was trying to say is that he's died, and that for however long that last second of life is going to be, it will stretch out for an age, as an eternity for Sam. When he drives off in that car, he's really driving off into the afterlife."

Although this seems pretty much black and white, the ending of Life On Mars was not. As Graham's ending was ambiguous, it left viewers wondering and pondering the question about Sam. This seems to be quite intentional, but John Simm has recently vented his fury over the way the BBC handled the second series, after the first was reportedly delivered on time and under budget.

In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, Simm revealed how lack of funds and time angered the cast. "We were furious. I don't know where they get their wisdom from about how you reward a hit show. It made it not particularly enjoyable because the workload was just unbelievable." He then added, "It put me off doing a huge, high-profile TV show like that. Not forever, obviously. I'll get over it."

This doesn't seem to prove or disprove Sam's involvement in the Ashes To Ashes plot line, however. It is already known that DCI Alex Drake reads Sam's notes from when he awoke from his coma in 2006, in 2008. Perhaps Alex searches for Sam in 1981, this seems plausible as a plot line. Finding Sam Tyler maybe the quest that Alex will have to lead, in order to find her way back to 2008. I like this as a premise, anyway.

Doing this would leave it open for Sam to make an appearance in an episode, at least. In closing all I can say is, lets be hopeful. There are more stories involving Sam Tyler that could be told. Just remember, we know Major Tom's a junkie.



Cyberman

A2A - What is known, so far

Here we are Martians or is "Burn Victims" what you'd like to be called now, at what I can only describe as being the first real post. As time progresses (pardon the time pun there), a name or moniker will arise for the fans. The BBC have issued a press statement, about the show which you can view below. But in addition to this, it is already known that the main contender for the role of Alex Drake at this stage is none other than Thandie Newton of "Mission Impossoble II" and "ER" fame.

According to the DailyMail.co.uk, the BBC has been inundated with agents from across the country pushing their actress of choice for the role. Thandie currently tops the short list, but other choices include "New Street Law's" Lisa Faulkner and "Bad Girls'" Liz May Brice. At this stage my money's on Thandie Newton, with Thandie in mind I've decided to add AshesToAshes.TV's first poll to the site. The poll can be viewed in the links bar, next to the post.


"DCI Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister) is back but he's no longer the self-styled "Sheriff of Manchester". Flanked by his faithful sidekicks, Ray Carling (Dean Andrews) and Chris Skelton (Marshall Lancaster), and drawn to the action and intrigue of the London Met, Gene turns his attentions to taking on the "southern nancy" criminal scum.

However, Gene does not expect to be thrown together with sexy, intelligent, DCI Alex Drake. Single mother to daughter Molly, Alex has rapidly risen through the ranks of the Met and, in the modern world of 2008, skilfully uses psychological profiling to capture suspects. When Alex and her daughter are kidnapped she makes a daring attempt at escape, resulting in a horrific accident.

Alex suddenly finds herself in 1981 interacting with familiar characters, not just from her own life-time, but also from the detailed reports logged by none other than Sam Tyler, which Alex has previously spent months pouring over. Alex is ripped from her current world of sexual equality and respect in 2008 and finds herself opposite an arrogant fellow DCI in a Two Tone, New Romantic Eighties London with a soundtrack of Adam Ant, Roxy Music and The Human League ringing in her ears.

Alex finds some of Gene's team has dispersed yet others, loyal as ever, are still in tow. Now a technological whizz-kid in the squad's surveillance team, DC Chris Skelton has clearly moved with the times, along with a tight-permed DS Ray Carling who's keen to experience London's nightlife. Frustrated by each other's stubbornness, the friction between Alex and Gene heats up. However, as the two titans collide, it becomes apparent there is more than just a professional tension emerging.

With the producers' search to cast the strong-willed DCI Alex Drake currently underway, filming is due to begin in London this summer, for transmission on BBC One next year. Jane Featherstone, Executive Producer for Kudos, says: "Ashes to Ashes is the next chapter in the life of Gene Hunt, as seen through the eyes of a modern, no-nonsense woman. It's a touch of Moonlighting teamed with a measure of Miami Vice. "The search for Gene's sexy side-kick is definitely on; she'll hopefully give him a serious run for his money." Julie Gardner, BBC Wales Head of Drama, says: "Sam Tyler took us on an amazing journey with Life On Mars but his story always had a definite life span.

"However, fans will be excited to learn that Gene Hunt lives on through Ashes To Ashes and we're certain they will love his Eighties escapades." Ashes To Ashes is written and created by Matthew Graham and Ashley Pharaoh, two creators of Life On Mars, with additional writing credits for Mark Greig (Life On Mars), Mick Ford (William And Mary) and Julie Rutterford (Life On Mars).
It is produced by Kudos, in association with Monastic Productions, the new production company of Graham and Pharaoh. Graham also executive produces for Monastic Productions, alongside Jane Featherstone and Simon Crawford Collins for Kudos and BBC Wales Head of Drama, Julie Gardner, who has also commissioned the series. Ashes To Ashes, an eight-part series of 60-minute episodes, is produced by Beth Willis."

Well people that's what the BBC has to say at present, more will follow in the coming months and once filming has commenced. I hope this has been informative, the next post will cover the differences between LOM and A2A. Until then, I will leave you with the lyrics by David Bowie that inspired the shows' title, cheers.

Do you remember a guy that's been
In such an early song
I've heard a rumour from ground control
Oh no, don't say it's true

They got a message from the action man
I'm happy, hope you're happy too
I've loved all I've needed love
Sordid details following

The shrieking of nothing is killing
Just pictures of jap girls in synthesis and I
Ain't got no money and I ain't got no hair
But I'm hoping to kick but the planet its glowing

Ashes to ashes, funk to funky
We know major tom's a junkie
Strung out in heaven's high
Hitting an all time low

Time and again I tell myself
I'll stay clean tonight
But the little green wheels are following me
Oh no, not again
I'm stuck with a valuable friend
I'm happy, hope you're happy too
One flash of light but no smoking pistol

I never done good things
I never done bad things
I never did anything out of the blue, woh-o-oh
Want an axe to break the ice
Wanna come down right now

Ashes to ashes, funk to funky
We know major tom's a junkie
Strung out in heaven's high
Hitting an all time low

My mother said to get things done
You'd better not mess with major tom
My mother said to get things done
You'd better not mess with major tom
My mother said to get things done
You'd better not mess with major tom
My mother said to get things done
You'd better not mess with major tom



Cyberman

Monday, April 23, 2007

Gene Therapy



Welcome everyone, to the newest member of the LifeOnMars.tv family, AshesToAshes.tv. Unlike LifeOnMars.tv, AshesToAshes.tv will focus purely on the much anticipated spin-off Ashes To Ashes. I will of course sometimes mention Life On Mars, but it will only be in reference.

Any way visitors, although the show has not started filming yet, many things are already known. Unlike its predecessor, Ashes To Ashes is set in 1981 not 1973. It has a female time traveller from 2008, not a male from 2006. The show is set in London not Manchester, and a lot more. I am not going to reveal everything here, this is purely just an introduction. Hope, you enjoy the rest of the blog.



Cyberman