Introduction to TV Drama

Use our Media Factsheet archive on the M: drive Media Shared (M:\Resources\A Level\Media Factsheets) or on Google Drive here (you'll need your Greenford Google login) to find Media Factsheet #164 on Television Serial Drama.

Read the whole of Factsheet and answer the following questions to show your comprehensive knowledge of the television drama genre:

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

A serial television drama is one that has a continuing plot that unfolds in a sequential episode-by-episode fashion.

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?

- Doctor Who

- The Avengers

- Danger Man

- The Sweeney

- Minder

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.

- Police Procedural (crime): Criminal Minds 

- Medical: Casualty

- Period (costume): Bridgerton 

- Science-fiction/fantasy: Star Trek

- Family: Modern Family

- Teen: Riverdale

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!)

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. Characters in serial dramas also go on a journey, allowing them to change and develop. This can be linked to personal identity and personal relationships.

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

A multi-strand narrative tells a range of interconnected story lines as opposed to one linear narrative, such as Breaking Bad.

7) What is a cold opening?

A cold opening is employing a teaser at the beginning to hook the audience and keep them watching.

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

Todorov's theory of equilibrium can be applied as the narratives of TV drama serials go from a state of equilibrium, disequilibrium and a new equilibrium both within episodes and through larger arcs.

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

In the US, the commercial networks (ABC, CBS, NBC) schedule most of their drama serials in blocks of twenty-four one-hour episodes, effectively spanning half the calendar year. In the UK, many serial dramas fill one-hour or a ‘commercial hour’ (about 50 minutes), with some dramas commissioned to span a two- hour slot. 

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?

Subscription cable channels, such as HBO, AMC and Showtime allow for a lot more adult and challenging content as they are not reliant on funding through adverts. Cable channels and services like Netflix and Amazon Prime often commission shorter runs (between six and thirteen episodes) and do not need to stick to rigid running times.

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.

TV Drama: The Sopranos (1999-2007)

Setting: His family home, Satriale's Pork Store and Bada Bing all located in the north of New Jersey

Characters: Follows the life of Tony Soprano, an Italian-American mob boss attempting to balance his family life and responsibilities within the mafia while going to therapy to focus on the cause of his panic attacks and bouts of depression. Other notable characters include his wife Carmela, his uncle Junior and other mafia members, such as his distant cousin and protégé Christopher.

Narrative: Long-form and multi-strand narrative allowed for The Sopranos to innovate the medium of TV as a whole, ushering in a new era of prestige TV dramas. 

Form: Distributed by HBO, running time of 51 - 60 minutes.

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

As Hollywood concentrates on superheroes, special effects and action, film actors are turning to television to play ‘difficult’, often morally ambiguous, characters in more complex and challenging narratives.  However, as television makes bigger and more international content there is a fear that the TV producers are moving away from making smaller scale content aimed primarily at domestic audiences.