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Viewers last saw DI Alex Drake in despair after being unable to save her parents from the car bomb that killed them. It's now 1982 and Alex is settling into Eighties life while her memories of 2008 begin to fade. Actor, Keeley Hawes, who recently starred in ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ One's Mutual Friends, plays the sassy DI and explains what is in store for Alex.

As the new series of Ashes to Ashes explodes onto the screen, DI Alex Drake and the rest of the CID team are searching for suspects in an underground sewage system. Luckily for Keeley Hawes this scene didn't set the tone for what her character could expect to get up to throughout the rest of the series.

She explains: "This series we get to see that Alex has calmed down a lot and has begun to settle into the 1980s environment. She now considers the people around her to be friends and, because we have moved on a year, things aren't quite so heightened for her.

"I've found Alex really interesting to play this series," continues Keeley, "because the lines are blurring between what she thinks is real and what isn't. She is now beginning to wonder whether the 2008 part of her life, including her daughter Molly, only ever existed in her head. It's definitely been an interesting angle to explore rather than the story simply concentrating on her trying to get back to the present."

Viewers are also introduced to an enigmatic stranger who is watching the DI and is trying to make contact with her in a mysterious manner.

"A strange man keeps leaving Alex roses which she initially thinks is another puzzle," Keeley explains. "She starts to investigate further, believing that if she solves the puzzle she may be able to go home. There are certainly lots of twists but I can't give the game away!"

Since Alex first met her boss, the brash DCI Gene Hunt, the pair have often clashed and enjoy a tempestuous relationship. Viewers are used to their on screen bust-ups and fiery exchanges. However, Keeley believes they share a mutual admiration for each other.

"They do still have their ups and downs," reveals Keeley, "but Gene is beginning to take on board different ways of policing and is starting to understand forensics and the importance of collecting evidence. Occasionally he and Alex are quite in tune and they definitely admire each other to a certain extent."

Keeley also reveals that there is a darker edge to this series.

"When Detective Superintendent 'Supermac' Mackintosh joins CID as Gene's boss Alex instantly likes him, but then she starts to see a darker side to his life," explains Keeley. "Roger Allam, who plays Supermac, is absolutely fantastic. He's brought a mysterious side to the character and a darker side to the whole series which we're all really pleased with."

"The script writers have also explored Dean, Marshall and Montserrat's characters more this series," explains Keeley, "and we get to see a lot more of Chris and Shaz's relationship."

The Eighties was a time of flamboyant fashion, bright make-up and glitzy accessories and Keeley admits that she had far more costume changes during this series.

"Costume changes and fittings were very difficult during filming for series one because I was in so many scenes. Each change meant leaving the set and going to the costume department which took up a lot of time. So for this series the production team had to think up a way of building more time into my schedule," explains Keeley. "Ultimately this meant we had more opportunity to delve into Alex's wardrobe which was great fun!

"We haven't gone down the silly Eighties fashion route because I don't think Alex would wear those clothes," continues Keeley. "However, Alex definitely wears a lot more outfits in this series and in one episode I think I have eight costume changes! I had one quite brilliant outfit which was a shirt with a giant pussy bow, covered in little anchors, tight jeans with red stripes down the side and anchor earrings which were on chains. It really was quite something! I also had a great Japanese look at one point. The costume department have gone to town with the details this series."

Alex's hair has also changed from a poodle perm to a more grown-out look with a fringe. Keeley explains the reason behind the change: "My hair is now much shorter in real life because it had to undergo so much styling for the first series of Ashes followed by Mutual Friends that I had to chop it all off before it fell out! So for this series of Ashes I've now got a growing out perm; a bit like Cagney from Cagney And Lacey. Most of it is my own hair but I needed a bit of extra length at the back so I have a hair piece that clips on easily."

Although the drama itself is getting darker, Keeley admits that the set was full of laughs and there was good banter between cast and crew.

"We all get on really well, thank goodness, and there was constant laughter on set. Dean and I would regularly laugh together and, in fact, last series was the first time ever I've been asked to leave a set because I couldn't stop laughing at Dean! I can honestly say we were all a bit better filming this series but it was still very difficult not to crack up. However, laughing releases a lot of energy so I think it is a healthy thing on set."

A rare treat for Keeley was driving the Quattro, an experience usually reserved for the one-and-only Gene Hunt.

"I love driving the Quattro, the handbrake turns are particularly fun! However, there was one time when we were all in the car with a very expensive camera attached and Phil was driving. We were heading towards the end of the road, in the rain, and suddenly the brakes didn't work! It was a hairy moment but Phil is a very good driver and managed to stop the car; we are all still here thank God!"