THE BBC's plans for a third instalment in the Life on Mars saga has been scrapped.
The original series proved to be a massive hit for the BBC when it was released in 2006, as was its sequel, Ashes to Ashes in 2008.
The creators of both shows – Matthew Graham and Ashley Pharoah – had announced details of a follow up back in 2020.
The project – called Lazarus – would have tied into the Life on Mars universe, with fans hoping to see characters from both previous shows coming together.
But despite revealing that a script for a pilot episode had been completed last year, Matthew revealed the sad news that the project had ground to a halt in a statement on Twitter.
He wrote: "Some sad news folks. After many months of planning, we will now not be making Lazarus. I can't go into details but the hurdles were financial not creative.
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"Naturally all who were involved are sick as a jungle full of parrots. Not least myself and Ashley Pharoah."
He continued: "It was a cracking concept – pertinent to our times. It had a whole new round of things to say about the relationship between the public and the police.
"And it was bloody funny too. But that as they say is showbiz baby. Forgive us if we don't take questions on the decision or on what happens next for Gene, Sam and the gang.
"But we wanted to let those who were interested know so that you could instead raise a pint of tan n bitter to the Guv."
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Ashley added: "Really disappointing news but we gave it a proper crack. We're still thinking of a way to either share the script with you or bring it out in another form. Until then… pub?"
Life on Mars ran for two series and followed Manchester police officer Sam Tyler – played by John Simm – after he is mysteriously transported from the year 2006 back to the 1970s.
Meanwhile Ashes to Ashes followed his superior at the force, Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister), in the 1980s, and ran for three series until 2010.
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