The creator of Life on Mars has hinted that the cult police drama, now widely regarded by fans as an early anti-woke television hit, could be set for a surprise comeback nearly two decades after it first aired.
Ashley Pharoah, who developed the series alongside Matthew Graham, suggested that plans for a long-awaited third instalment may once again be stirring.
Mr Pharoah told The Sun: “Something is stirring in the Life on Mars world.
“I’m sworn to secrecy, but the Cortina isn’t ready for the scrapyard just yet.”
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Life on Mars could be set for a surprise comeback nearly two decades after it first aired
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The comments will excite fans of the original series, which has enjoyed renewed popularity in recent years for its unapologetically politically incorrect tone, traditional masculinity, and rejection of modern moral posturing.
The programme’s portrayal of 1970s policing, particularly through the character of DCI Gene Hunt, has frequently been cited online as a sharp contrast to what critics describe as today’s “woke” television landscape.
Mr Pharoah admitted he had long been puzzled by broadcasters’ reluctance to revive the show, despite sustained audience demand.
He said: “It really puzzled us that no one wanted to make Lazarus; the fans certainly did.
Life on Mars cast
|BBC
“We always planned to do three series, not two.”
Life on Mars launched in 2006 and became an unexpected hit, starring John Simm as Detective Inspector Sam Tyler, a modern officer thrust back into 1973 Manchester following a car accident.
Philip Glenister’s performance as the hard-drinking, rule-breaking Gene Hunt, complete with his Ford Cortina and blunt refusal to apologise, proved particularly popular and has since been hailed by supporters as one of British television’s last truly unfiltered leading men.
The series ran for two seasons before spawning a spin-off, Ashes to Ashes, set in the 1980s and starring Ms Keeley Hawes as DI Alex Drake.
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Ashley Pharoah developed the series alongside Matthew Graham
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That follow-up concluded in 2010, with the creative team at the time suggesting they had reached a natural endpoint.
Interest in reviving the franchise resurfaced during the Covid lockdowns, when Mr Graham revealed the pair had developed a new concept they believed was worthy of the show’s legacy.
“We would never make another Mars unless we really had something to say,” he said.
“Finally, we have something.”
Life on Mars launched in 2006 and became an unexpected hit
|BBC
The proposed third series, titled Lazarus, continuing the tradition of naming instalments after David Bowie songs, would have followed Sam Tyler working in Greater Manchester Police’s internal affairs unit in 2022.
An investigation would lead him to a care home housing an elderly Gene Hunt, before both characters were pulled back into 1973.
The storyline was also set to explore 1990s policing, which Mr Graham described as “the time of the gentleman detective", in contrast to today’s highly managed, compliance-led policing culture.
Despite enthusiasm from the creators, the project collapsed in June 2023 due to financial obstacles.
The show had been rumoured for a revival several years ago, but these had been dashed due to financial obsticles
|BBC
“After many months of planning, we will now not be making Lazarus,” Mr Graham wrote at the time. “I can’t go into details, but the hurdles were financial, not creative.”
The BBC later confirmed there were “no plans” to revive the series, a position that disappointed fans who see the drama as increasingly out of step with the corporation’s current output.
Mr Pharoah’s latest comments have now sparked speculation that streaming platforms may be considered instead.
Both Mr Simm and Mr Glenister have previously said they would be willing to return, while Ms Hawes has been more hesitant.