Serial TV Drama

Exploring the TV drama genre and conventions

What is the difference between TV drama and a Soap Opera?

Drama is more serious than soap and no as exaggerated.

A TV drama is a one off drama with little to no continuation, a serial TV drama is a long running show with a plot that develops every episode.

TV Drama can be split into many sub genres

• Crime Drama.

Broadchurch
Sherlock
Gotham

• Period Drama. 

Robin Hood

Call the Midwife

Downton Abbey

• Teen Drama

13 Reasons Why

Riverdale

Pretty Little

• Medical Drama

The Good Doctor

House

Grey's Anatomy

• Science-Fiction Drama

Doctor Who

The Flash

Stranger Things

• Fantasy Drama

Vampire Diaries

Supernatural 

Once Upon a Time

• Political Drama

House if Cards

Designated Survivor

The Crown

NARRATIVE AND CHARACTERS

Serial vs Series

Series has the same characters throughout with new stories every episode whereas a serial has the same characters with an ongoing story line.

Reasons why serial is popular

• Typically set in locations that the viewers know of and most likely live in/near.
• Blamer/Kats Theory diversion