Gene Hunt's new sidekick ... that posh bird from Mission Impossible

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Producers have drawn up a shortlist of names to play Detective Inspector Alex Drake, which has now become the most sought-after part on TV.

Hotly fancied is Mission Impossible II and ER star Thandie Newton. New Street Law's Lisa Faulkner and Bad Girls' Liz May Brice are also in the running.

More follows...

Thandie Newton is tipped to star in the sequel to Life on Mars

A BBC source said: "I don't think there's an agent in the country that hasn't been pushing their clients. Life On Mars was such a success that everyone wants to be involved."

Life On Mars developed a huge cult following and more than seven million viewers tuned in for last week's final episode.

BBC executives were very keen to find a way of continuing the series, which is released on DVD tomorrow. Filming starts on the new show in London in July.

• Click here for more showbiz news and gossip

It will feature DCI Drake as a single mother who has risen rapidly in the Metropolitan Police and uses Cracker-style psychological profiling to catch crooks.

She comes across reports that Sam Tyler, played by John Simm, made after coming out of his coma.

Then she and her daughter Molly are kidnapped and Drake suffers a terrible accident - waking up in 1981 to find herself working alongside the politically incorrect DCI Gene Hunt, played by Philip Glenister, who has transferred to London with his sidekicks DC Chris Skelton and DS Ray Carling.

Jane Featherstone, executive producer for producers Kudos, said: "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 is Moonlighting teamed with a measure of Miami Vice."

But Gene's Ford Cortina will be replaced by an Audi Quattro. Life On Mars executive producer Matthew Graham said: "We've already got Gene's new catchphrase: "Ray, fire up the Quattro!"'