Where is the cast of Life On Mars now?
LIFE On Mars was a HUGE hit for the BBC when it aired back in the mid-noughties.
The series, about a time-travelling copper, made a star out of a young John Simm – and featured a star line-up of very familiar faces.
Where is the cast of Life On Mars now?
Life On Mars aired for two series on the BBC from 2006 until 2007.
The popular series told the story of DCI Sam Tyler of the Greater Manchester Police, who, after being hit by a car in 2006, found himself in the year 1973.
There, he worked for Manchester and Salford Police CID as a DI under DCI Gene Hunt.
Over the course of the series, Tyler faced various culture clashes, especially between his modern approach to policing, and the 70s way of doing things.
John Simm as DCI Sam Tyler
The time-travelling detective DCI Sam Tyler was played by John Simm, who was relatively unknown actor at the time.
The show launched his career, and he has since become a well known face on TV.
One of John’s most famous roles was playing The Master in Doctor Who opposite David Tennant.
In 2014 he starred in the American show Intruders, before taking a break in TV to concentrate on theatre work, where he appeared in Three Days in the County, and Harold Pinter’s The Homecoming.
John has also had leading roles in several crime dramas including Strangers, Collateral, and Cold Courage.
In 2022 he reprised his role of DS Roy Grace in the ITV crime drama Grace.
Philip Glenister as DCI Gene Hunt
Phillip Glenister played chauvinist cop, DCI Gene Hunt, who was was famed for his catchphrase, “Fire up the Quattro.”
Unlike co-star John, he reprised the role in spin-off show Ashes To Ashes, and after that ended in 2010, has been an in demand actor.
In 2011, Phillip reunited with John in the Sky TV mini-series Mad Dogs about a group of old friends whose holiday in Majorca takes an unexpected turn.
His other big acting roles include taking on the lead role in the ITV period drama Belgravia, which aired in the UK and America.
Philip also starred as Reverend Anderson on American horror drama Outcast, as well as in the BBC drama Cranford.
Away from acting, he also presented the true crime series, What the Killer Did Next.
Liz White as DC Annie Cartwright
Liz White shot to fame playing the role of DC Annie Cartwright in Life on Mars.
The role helped her kick off her career and she has become a familiar face on TV.
The actress has since played main roles in Line of Duty, Ackley Bridge, and ITV’s Unforgotten.
On the big screen she starred in the award-winning film Pride and, most famously, the 2012 horror the Woman in Black in which she played the eponymous woman.
Dean Andrews as DC Ray Carling
Just like his co-star Phillip, actor Dean Andrews continued his role of DC Ray Carling in the Life On Mars spin-off show, Ashes To Ashes.
After that he had roles in Channel 4 drama No Angels, and BBC’s Waterloo Road.
In 2011 Dean starred in United, the BBC Two film about the Munich Air disaster before taking on a role in the BBC drama Last Tango in Halifax.
However, since 2019 he has played Will Taylor in Emmerdale.
Marshall Lancaster as DC Chris Skelton
Marshall Lancaster, who portrayed DC Chris Skelton in both Life On Mars and Ashes To Ashes.
After the show ended he popped up in shows like Coronation Street, Doctors, and Doctor Who.
He was also a regular on the hospital soap-opera Casualty until 2012 before leaving acting altogether.
This is because in 2013 Marshall embarked on a career change.
He started his own construction company, Marshall Lancaster Plastering, and now works as a contractor in Macclesfield.