BBC Life on Mars - Characters
BBC Life on MarsLife on Mars - cast biographies
DI Sam Tyler – John Simm
John Simm was born on 10 July 1970 in Leeds.
John has appeared in many television dramas, including Rumpole of the Bailey 1992, one episode of Heartbeat in 1993, Cracker in 1995, as Jip in Human Traffic in 1999, State of Play in 2003 (which also starred Life on Mars’ Philip Glenister and Marc Warren), and as Ace in The Canterbury Tales – the Knight’s Tale in 2003. Prior to Life on Mars, John’s most well-known television performance was in the 1997 BBC Drama, The Lakes, as Danny Kavanagh.
John and his partner, Kate Magowan, have a young son called Ryan.
In the past, John played in a band called Magic Alex which supported Echo and the Bunnymen.
DCI Gene Hunt – Philip Glenister
Philip was born on 10 February 1963.
Philip too has a long-established television and film career and seems to have rather a liking for police dramas. Like John Simm, Philip has also appeared in an episode of Heartbeat in 1992 as Julian Cantley. He also featured in Bergerac in 1991, as a humble PC in Silent Witness in 1996, as DCI William Bell in State of Play (along with John Simm) and also as DCI David Driscoll in two episodes of Vincent in 2005. His other roles also include the comedy romance, Love Hurts (with Adam Faith and Zoe Wanamaker) in 1992, ITV’s Soldier, Soldier in 1996 and as Gunner Hobbs in ITV Hornblower series in 2001. His film roles include the shy photographer, Lawrence Sertain, in award winning, Calendar Girls.
His older brother, Robert Glenister, is also a well-known actor, with roles such as Ash Morgan in Hustle (alongside Marc Warren) and he too has also appeared in an episode of Heartbeat.
Philip is married to the actress, Beth Goddard, (amongst whose many roles include Suze Littlewood in Gimme, Gimme, Gimme) with whom he has two daughters, Milly and Charlotte.
WPC Annie Cartwright – Liz White
Liz White was born in 1979 in Rotherham, so obviously Liz will have no memories of 1973 when the series of Life on Mars is set. Liz is a graduate of the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts, which was set up by Sir Paul McCartney.
Liz’s television appearances include playing Paula Roberts in BBC’s A Thing Called Love (alongside Paul Nicholls), Pamela Barnes in the Oscar nominated film, Vera Drake, and as Eileen in Channel 4’s, Teachers
Liz is currently rehearsing for the play, Dying For It, which opens at the Almeida Theatre on Thursday 15 March 2007 and runs until 28 April 2007.
DC Chris Skelton – Marshall Lancaster
Marshall was born in Macclesfield.
Marshall has recently appeared in six episodes of ITV’s Coronation Street, as Slug. He seems to have a liking for medical dramas having also appeared in The Royal, Peak Practice, Doctors and Holby City. Marshall's other television appearances also include The Bill, The Street and Family Affairs.
DS Ray Carling – Dean Andrews
Dean’s first career was as a singer for twenty years. He often worked alongside Jane McDonald. His acting talent was discovered when Ken Loach came to Sheffield to film The Navigators.
Since then, he has gone on to appear in Eastenders, No Angels, Casualty, Wire in the Blood and New Street Law.
WPC Phyllis Dobbs – Noreen Kershaw
Noreen was born on 16 October 1950 in Bury.
Besides being a well-established actress, Noreen Kershaw is also well-known for being a television director. Between 2000-2005, Noreen directed twenty episodes of Heartbeat (and she also appeared as Mary McCready in an episode first screened in 2000) and she has also directed episodes of Coronation Street and Emmerdale Farm.
Noreen’s acting credits are lengthy too. She appeared as Kathy Roach in Channel 4’s Brookside between 1988 and 1990 and she also featured prominently in another Liverpool-based television programme, Watching, with Emma Wray and Paul Bown, between 1991 and 1993. Other credits include Boys from the Black Stuff, Albion Market, Peak Practice and Holby City.
Supt Harry Woolf - Kevin McNally
Kevin was born on 27 April 1956 in Bristol. However, he grew up in Birmingham and got his job at Birmingham Repertory Theatre. From there he went onto the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Kevin’s acting career dates back to the 70s and one of his earliest television roles was in Z Cars in 1977. He made his film debut in the James Bond film – The Spy Who Loved Me in 1976, when he played the role HMS Ranger Crewman. His other television credits also include I, Claudius, Dr Who, Shackleton and Spooks, to name but a few.
His career on the big screen continues too, with his role as Joshamee Gibbs in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest and the soon to be released Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End.
Kevin lives in London, with his partner, the Lovejoy actress Phyllis Logan, who also has a long and distinguished television career (and her recent credits include Sea of Souls, Spooks and Silent Witness) and his two children.
Nelson – Tony Marshall
Like the rest of the cast of Life on Mars, Tony has had a long TV career. Some of his earlier television appearances include playing Chris in Only Fools and Horses. He also appeared as Diesel in All Quiet on the Preston Front. Like many other members of the cast, Tony has also appeared in episodes of Casualty and Holby City.