Gene Hunt

DCI Gene Hunt is a fictional character in BBC One's science fiction/police procedural drama, Life on Mars and its spin-off, Ashes to Ashes. The character is portrayed by Philip Glenister in both Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes, whereas in the American version he is portrayed by Harvey Keitel. Bantam Press have published two books written from the in-character first person perspective of Hunt; The Rules of Modern Policing (1973) in 2007, and The Future of Modern Policing (1981) in 2008.

The character of Gene Hunt is portrayed as a "politically incorrect chauvinist" who has no qualm with using violent tactics in order to get a result. He has a love/hate relationship with Sam Tyler and Alex Drake, the leading protagonists of Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes respectively, whilst commanding fierce loyalty from DS Ray Carling and DC Chris Skelton.

The character received much critical and public acclaim for his role in Life on Mars, being dubbed both a "national hero" and an unlikely sex symbol, as well as being voted Britain's favourite TV hero. Ashes to Ashes provoked some negative reviews, with accusations of repetition of material. As portrayed many times in the Life on Mars series, Hunt is a passionate supporter of Manchester City.

“You great… soft… sissy… girlie… nancy… French… bender… Man United supporting POOF!” (Gene Hunt insulting DI Sam Tyler)
“I think she’s as fake as a tranny’s fanny.”
“Drugs, eh? What’s the point. They make you forget, make you talk funny, make you see things that aren’t there. My old grandma got all of that for free when she had a stroke.”

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