Introduction to TV Drama

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 1) What is serial television drama? Write your own definition.

A serial television drama is a TV show which has a continuous plot that unfolds in sequential episode-by-episode fashion.These shows mostly possess narrative complexity and they typically follow many story arcs that span entire television seasons.


2) List five of the TV dramas discussed in the history of the genre on page 1 of the factsheet. How has the genre evolved over time?

.The Avengers (1961-1969)
. Danger Man (1962- 1968)
. The Sweeney (1975-1978
. Minder (1979-1994)

The first UK companies made TV dramas that were largely aimed at the domestic market.This model of making television drama was not widely adopted by the industry until the 1990s. However, today, all television drama is all shot on film and made like a film, with the same high quality productions values.

3) List the sub-genres of TV drama featured in the factsheet. Come up with your own example of an existing TV drama to fit each category.

.Starksy and Hutch (1975-1979) - cop show
.The A-Team (1983-1987) - action caper

4) Why is setting so important for TV drama?

Serial dramas play out in a ‘precinct’ or communal location inhabited by the ensemble cast of characters.This allows the drama to develop over a long period of time, weathering the comings and goings of the cast members by replacing one archetypal character with another. Bringing in new characters also prevents the show from going stale.

5) How do TV dramas typically use character? What audience pleasures can be linked to character in TV drama? (Hint: Uses & Gratifications theory!)

As broadcasters seek to ensure that their most successful brands run for as long as possible it is necessary to populate them with a large cast of characters, much like soap operas. In a similar vein to soaps, serial dramas often employ archetypal characters. In subgenres like the crime drama archetypal characters, such as the maverick cop, are frequently deployed. Likewise, to reflect modern audiences, there is a greater presence of strong females as well as black and ethnic minority characters. Increasingly, gay, lesbian and transsexual characters are also represented in television serials, notably in Orange is the New Black. Brands run for as long as possible it is necessary to populate them with a large cast of characters, much like soap operas. In a similarvein to soaps, serial dramas often employ archetypal characters. In subgenres like the crime drama archetypal characters, such as the maverick cop, are frequently deployed. Likewise, to reflect modern audiences, there is a greater presence of strong females as well as black and ethnic minority characters. Increasingly, gay, lesbian and transsexual characters are also represented in television serials, notably in Orange is the New Black.

6) What is a multi-strand narrative? Give an example of a TV drama that features a multi-strand narrative.

A multi-strand narrative includes many storylines. 'Game of Thrones' is an example of this.

7) What is a cold opening?

A cold opening is a scene portrayed before a title sequence.

8) How can Todorov's theory of equilibrium be applied to TV drama serials?

  • Equilibrium – The world is stable 
  • Disruption – An event disturbs 
  • Recognition – Characters acknowledge the problem 
  • Attempt to repair – Conflict and struggle arise
  • New equilibrium – A transformed reality


    • 9) What is the typical form for TV dramas and how are the programmes typically distributed to an audience?

    Anthology – A new story and characters each season
    Episodic (procedural) – Each episode has a self-contained story 
    Serial (ongoing narrative arcs) – Episodes must be watched in order 

    10) How have subscription channels (such as HBO) and streaming services (such as Netflix and Amazon Prime) changed the form and content of TV dramas?

    Cinematic storytelling – Longer episode lengths and film-like aesthetics.
    Diverse representation – More global and niche storytelling.
    Binge culture – Netflix releases entire seasons at once, changing viewing habits.
    Higher budgets – Streaming services and HBO invest heavily in production.

    11) Choose a TV drama and do your own analysis of it using the SETTING / CHARACTERS / NARRATIVE / FORM headings as featured on page 3 of the factsheet.

    Stranger things:
    Setting: 1980s America, bringing nostalgia from music and visuals.
    Characters: Multiple cast, from kids to adults which provide different audience entrance points.
    Narrative: Multi-strand narrative involving mystery, government experiments and supernatural forces.
    Form: Released as binge-worthy series on Netflix.

    12) How might the TV drama genre evolve in future?

    There may be more non-English dramas, higher budgets and complex narratives in the future.

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