Get ready for a blast from the past—a beloved BBC series featuring a legendary Doctor Who villain might be making a comeback after over 15 years! But here’s where it gets controversial: is it too late to revive the magic, or will fans finally get the closure they’ve been craving?
Back in 2006, Life on Mars took the world by storm, following the story of Sam Tyler, a Manchester police officer who, after a car accident, finds himself thrust back in time to 1973. Stranded in the past, Sam resumes his job under the gruff yet charismatic Detective Chief Inspector Gene Hunt, all while unraveling the mystery of his own time-traveling predicament. Starring John Simm (known for his chilling portrayal of The Master in Doctor Who) and Philip Glenister as the unforgettable Hunt, the series masterfully blended sci-fi with police procedural drama, earning widespread acclaim.
And this is the part most people miss: Despite its abrupt end in 2007 after just two seasons, the show’s legacy lived on through its spin-off, Ashes to Ashes, which followed a similar premise but set in the 1980s. This sequel starred Keeley Hawes as Alex Drake, a London officer who wakes up in 1981 after being shot, echoing Sam’s journey of navigating the past to return to the future.
Now, co-creator Ashley Pharoah has hinted that a third installment, titled Lazarus, could be back on the table. Originally shelved in 2023 due to ‘financial hurdles,’ Pharoah recently teased, ‘Something is stirring in the Life on Mars world.’ But don’t expect it to air on the BBC—the network has confirmed there are no plans for a return. Is this a missed opportunity, or a wise decision to let the past stay in the past?
Pharoah’s cryptic remark about the Cortina ‘not being ready for the scrapyard’ has fans buzzing, but fellow co-creator Matthew Graham previously expressed disappointment over Lazarus’ cancellation, calling it ‘a cracking concept’ with fresh insights into police-public relations. He added, ‘It was bloody funny too,’ leaving fans to wonder what could have been.
Here’s the burning question: Should Life on Mars return, or is it better left as a cherished memory? Let us know in the comments—do you think a revival could recapture the original’s charm, or is it a risk not worth taking? One thing’s for sure: the Cortina isn’t the only thing still running—the fandom’s passion is alive and kicking!
