SPOOKS actress Keeley Hawes (pictured) will star as Gene Hunt's sidekick in the sequel to Life On Mars.

She will partner Philip Glenister's politically incorrect policeman in BBC1's Ashes To Ashes.

In Life On Mars, set in Manchester, John Simm's character DCI Sam Tyler was hit by a car and transported back to 1973.

Ashes To Ashes, set in London, will see Hawes play DI Alex Drake, a psychological profiler who travels back to 1981. She has to battle sexism - mostly from DCI Hunt, who calls her 'Posh Knickers'.

Hawes, 30, said: "Alex is a fantastic character and will be a force to be reckoned with. Locking horns with Gene in the Eighties will be a sight to behold, never mind the shoulder pads." The show will air in the New Year.