Keeley's New Show Is A Real Fashion Disaster

Feb 3 2008 By Steve Hendry

Ashes to Ashes

ASHES To Ashes star Keeley Hawes admits filming the new BBC1 drama was a fashion disaster from beginning to end.

The star of the follow up to timetravelling cop show Life On Mars spends the first episode in stockings, suspenders and a micro-skirt after she wakes up in 1981 dressed as a prostitute, listening to Ultravox.

And things get worse for her as Detective Inspector Alex Drake, who has to endure some shocking New Romantic styles as she battles to get back to the 21st century.

Keeley, 31, groaned: "I've got a white leather jacket and matching boots, I run about in stilettos, my hair looks permed and revolting and I have to wear an all-in-one jumpsuit and skin-tight jeans.

"I do get to wear some Agent Provocateur underwear, a red basque-type thing. And there is a bright blue shirt that's quite fun but there's nothing I'd wear personally."

But she has had support from real-life husband and former Spooks co-star Matthew MacFadyen - who makes a guest appearance later in the series sporting a dodgy moustache and bad mullet.

She joked: "No, I didn't ask him to bring it home. The part came about when I showed him an episode and he said, 'God, I wish I was in it!'"

Ashes to Ashes sees Alex being taken hostage and shot in 2008 - only to wake up in 1981 working with Life on Mars politically incorrect cop, Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister).

DC Chris Skelton (Marshall Lancaster) is also back but in this series Hunt drives an Audi Quattro instead of a Ford Cortina and has a case of sexual chemistry to solve.

Keeley said: "Alex and Gene have a love-hate relationship. It's sexy but she has a daughter, Molly, to get back to in 2008."

Keeley was wary of the part after the runaway success of Life on Mars, which featured John Simm as 21st Century cop Sam Tyler.

She said: "I feel a responsibility to the seven million viewers. It's very different from Life OnMars and has its own identity."

Ashes To Ashes is on BBC1 on Thursday at 8pm.