Broadchurch’s David Tennant and Olivia Colman are a fantastic detective duo, but for those who are missing the show, the British crime drama with a sci-fi twist,Ashes to Ashes, is a stellar watch. Alec Hardy is undoubtedly one ofDavid Tennant’s best TV characters, and throughout all three seasons ofBroadchurch, his rapport with Colman’s Ellie Miller is hilarious, heartbreaking, and wholesome, all at the same time.
WhileBroadchurchis absolutely a greatBritish crime TV show everyone should watch, there are others that don’t get the attention they deserve.Detective sci-fi TV showsare a very specific type of title, and trying to find one that also scratches viewers’ crime drama itch can be difficult.Ashes to Ashesis a fantastic recommendation for those who loveBroadchurch, especially as the two share a lot of parallels, yet are also very different TV shows.
Ashes To Ashes Takes A Police Officer Back In Time To The ’80s
Alex Drake’s Journey In Ashes To Ashes Is A Wild One
Ashes to Ashesis a fantastic TV show, and despite the fact that there are only three seasons, it’s one ofthe best British detective shows ever made. Itfollows police officer Alex Drake (Keeley Hawes),who is shot in the line of duty in 2008. However,instead of dying, Drake wakes up in 1981, where she meets Philip Glenister’s Gene Hunt,who is in charge of the Metropolitan Police’s Fenchurch East CID, and several of his colleagues.
Unable to return to her own time, Drake sets herself up in the ‘80sand begins seeking evidence against Arthur Layron, the man who shot her, in the hopes that convicting him will help her get back to the present. Technically,Ashes to Ashesis aperiod crime drama TV show, as it’s set in the ‘80s, but this sci-fi twist creates a blurring between the eras, which is fascinating to watch play out on-screen.
Ashes to Ashes' first episode sees Alex Drake listening to reports from Sam Tyler about the events ofLife on Mars.
Ashes to Ashesis also the sequel TV show toLife on Mars,which stars John Simm as Sam Tyler, a man who goes through the very same experience as Alex Drake, except he wakes up in 1973. The two shows are interwoven, but audiences don’t necessarily need to seeLife on Marsto understandAshes to Ashes. Gene Hunt, Ray Carlin, and Chris Skeleton are all recurring characters who return inAshes to Ashesas well, and in the show’s finale, there is an explanation as to why they’re all together.
Ashes To Ashes Doesn’t Rely On Time Travel, But It Plays A Big Part In Alex Drake’s Story
Ashes to Ashesis a brilliantlyunderrated procedural TV show. The show does an incredible job of being both a police procedural and a straight-up drama, with a story-of-the-week format and overarching storylines that crop up throughout. Of course,the time travel aspect ofAshes to Ashesis different from the average procedural,but the show doesn’t rely on it for gimmicks, either. Time travel helps set up the story ofAshes to Ashes, but after that, audiences shouldn’t expect to see characters popping back between the future and past (at least, not at first).
It’s clear there’s an underlying issue with Drake being stuck in the ‘80s, butAshes to Ashesdoesn’t force the sci-fi elements.It keeps its focus on the detectives and the episode’s crime-related story, but still offers reminders that Drake is out of her time period regularly. While later installments delve into what happens to both Alex Drake and Sam Tyler, and the show leans further into science fiction, much ofAshes to Ashessticks to the crime side of things.
How Ashes To Ashes Is Different From Broadchurch
While There Are Similarities Between The Detective Duos, The Overall Tone Of Ashes To Ashes Is Darker
While there are a lot of differences between the show andBroadchurch, one of the most notablecrime TV shows that changed the genre forever, it doesn’t mean viewers won’t enjoyAshes to Ashes. There are some great parallels between the characters, for example. Like Alec Hardy, Gene Hunt is a gruff man who clashes with his new partner at first, but later forms a solid bond with her. However, Hunt is repeatedly corrupt, unlike Hardy. Drake can be compared to Ellie Miller, too.
They’re both passionate and bright detectives, care about their children more than anything, and aren’t afraid to snap back at those who disrespect them.The one major difference between these duos is that Hunt and Drake’s relationship later borders on sexual/romantic,which would never happen with Hardy and Miller.
There’s typically a new threat in each episode, but there are plenty of recurring villains that come back, too. UnlikeBroadchurch, which focuses on one shocking crime across a season,Ashes to Ashesviewers are able to put certain details out of their minds until they become relevant again,and don’t need to keep reminding themselves of little comments to keep up with what’s happening.Ashes to Ashesnotably sees a lot of guns, giving it an action-packed edge, and whileBroadchurchis dramatic, it’s also a typicalBritish murder mystery TV show, so there’s not much blood and violence.
Ashes to Ashesis available to stream on BritBox and Roku.
Ashes to Ashesdefinitely doesn’t have as manyDoctor Whoactors as there are inBroadchurch. However,there are several other great British names inAshes to Ashes, like Daniel Mays and Adrian Dunbar,who are also both prominent crime drama actors. Even thoughBroadchurchandAshes to Ashesare quite different in a lot of ways, the thrilling atmosphere, opposites-attract detective duo, and gripping mysteries make this British crime drama with a sci-fi twist well worth watching.
Ashes to Ashes
Cast
Ashes to Ashes is a British television series and sequel to Life on Mars. The show follows Detective Inspector Alex Drake, who, after being shot, wakes up in 1981. Starring Keeley Hawes, Philip Glenister, and Dean Andrews, the series delves into Drake’s efforts to understand her situation while navigating the challenges of her new reality. Ashes to Ashes blends elements of crime drama with science fiction and surrealism.
Broadchurch
Broadchurch: Set in a small coastal town, Broadchurch follows the intense investigation into the murder of a young boy, as the case draws significant media attention and threatens the fabric of the close-knit community.
