Gender representation in 'Life on Mars'

The BBC series ‘Life on Mars’ was a roaring success airing in 2006 and 2007 with two popular series!

There are many aspects and themes to discuss. What interests me is how gender is represented. Although it’s mainly male dominated, the lack of female characters and their representation is one to be delved deeper. The fact that the storyline is based in a police workforce is the reasoning this is shortiage of women, as this would have been very rare to have women PC as it was just the beginning of the feminist movement.

There is a constant struggle for one female character in particular. Annie Cartwright, in episode 1 of series two, she’s promoted from WPC to WDC. As if the skirt and handbag wasn’t enough to tell she’s a woman, she needs a distinctive title to constantly remind her off that. Although there is no issue with being a woman, the need for a different title isolates her, suggesting to the men she’s not quite as powerful.

Annie’s Costume as a police officer, is an A lined skirt, a little handbag with a perfectly perched white hat. For a PC this is completely impractically and inappropriate. It highlights the fact the women are there as to be sexualised, rather than work with an intelligent mind. However she put's her femine props to a pratical use. This is shown when she not only spots eveidence, but pulls out eyebrow tweasers to pick it up without fingerprints.

The working environment for the women has changed greatly over the 40 years. After Annie walks into the jeering, smoke filled room, it only takes 10 seconds for her to get sexually harassed. Her first response is too grab Ray's ass. This shows her quick thinking that is applied to her working experience, that ultimately gets her the promotion.

She is a character that is changeling the male dominated working environment. Taking it with in her stride with an intelligent mind.