TV: 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 TV show that revolves around the same cast and location with every episode.
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)

Starsky and Hutch (1975-1979)

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.

Crime - True Detective

Medical - The Good Doctor

Costume - Downton Abby

Sci-Fi/Fantasy - Mandalorian

Family - Ted

Teen - Euphoria

4) Why is setting so important for TV drama?
Because it shows a recognisable location to help audiences relate and enjoy.
5) How do TV dramas typically use character? What audience pleasures can be linked to character in TV drama? (Hint: Uses & Gratifications theory!)
To change and grow as the story build throughout the episodes.
6) What is a multi-strand narrative? Give an example of a TV drama that features a multi-strand narrative.
When theres multiple stroies happening all at once. Wandavision.
7) What is a cold opening?
When the beginning of the show teases the viewer of whats to come.
8) How can Todorov's theory of equilibrium be applied to TV drama serials?
When the problem in the show starts in the first episode, and by the end of the series the problem has been solved and is now in a state of new equilibrium.
9) What is the typical form for TV dramas and how are the programmes typically distributed to an audience?
Typically episodes last for an hour, 45 minutes of show and 15 for ads. and are shown in a series of an average 20 episodes.
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?
More adult stories that would not typically be allowed on satellite television.
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.

Show: Dexter

Setting: Takes place in Miami Florida in locations such as a beach house and a police station.

Characters: Dexter, the main character and his sister Debra working together on the police force as they hunt for serial killers.

Narrative: How Dexter controls his psychopathic instincts by letting it out on the criminals of Miami instead of innocent people.

Form: Dexter lasted for 7 years from 2006 to 2013. Each episode on average was 50 minutes long. 8 seasons with an average 15 a season.

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

"As the film industry moves towards a model of making only high or low budget films, television drama is filling the void vacated by the mid-

budget movie (which is much harder to turn a profit on). As Hollywood concentrates on superheroes, special effects and high octane action,

many film actors are turning to television to play ‘difficult’, often morally ambiguous, characters in more complex and challenging narratives.

This trend is likely to continue. However, as television - with the aid of co-production budgets - 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."