Marshall Lancaster ('Ashes To Ashes')

After a year-long absence, Gene Hunt and team are back with the second series of Ashes To Ashes. Details of the new series have been kept firmly under wraps, but we had a few burning questions: What's different this time around? Who's dancing in their tighty-whiteys? And could John Simm be cropping up again? Searching for answers, we called the man in the know, Marshall Lancaster, to find out.

How does the new series follow on from the last?
"It's moved on a year, so the Falklands and that sort of thing are starting off. I think as characters we're very much the same, apart from Alex Drake, who's starting to think she's got a grip on the '80s world. But the way she thinks about things gets turned on its head in many ways this series."

What's the situation with Chris and Shaz?
"Chris has got wedding bells in mind! He's just got to pluck up the courage to pop the question. How smoothly that goes remains to be seen! But Chris is smitten with Shaz and he'd do anything for her, so he's got her a ring and he's decided he's going to pop the question."

We hear there was a striptease involved...
"Yes, I had to do a striptease! I went to a stripper for lessons - she was clothed! - and I learnt a few moves. Then as it went on I did a bit of freestyling, whipping my belt, and things like that! I put one or two little Skeltonisms into it. It was absolutely frightening though - I lost a lot of sleep over it beforehand. I had a scene before as well and I just couldn't concentrate whatsoever!"

Series two also sees the introduction of Supermac. What can we expect from him?
"He's a character we've all respected and enjoyed working with over the years, apparently. He's played by Roger Allam, who's a good laugh on set and a great actor. He's a new character who is superior to Gene Hunt, so he's quite a big character."

We've also heard that a character from Life On Mars is going to make a comeback to this series?
"Yeah - people are already saying, 'Is it Sam Tyler? Is it Annie [Cartwright]?' You'd have to press me on it but I can't give you any more than that. You see what I did there? There's a clue in the line, 'You'd have to press me on it'!"

Do you think John Simm could ever come back?
"I'd like him to, but whether he will or not I'm not sure. I spoke to him recently and I think he said he would like to do something else based on Sam Tyler but I don't think he'd come back. I think maybe a bit of persuasion and he might do!"

Does the end of series two wrap up the story nicely? Or could there be room for a third?
"It's another one where it could perhaps finish there or could go on. I mean, we've been sat down after a read through and told the whole shebang – what it's all about – and it was really, really clever. A lot more intricate than perhaps everyone thinks it is at the minute. We got told the whole story and it's a struggle to fit it into this one series so there might be another - but my lips are constantly sealed!"

Would you be interested if a third series came about?
"I think so, yeah. It's been a long shoot this time so I'm just thinking, 'Give me five minutes!' But I know I'll be ready to get back into those tighty-whiteys come September if we go again!"

Ashes To Ashes returns to BBC One tonight at 9pm.