Types of TV Drama

The Serial: A serial is a continuing storyline over a limited number of linking programmes with another arching narrative. Mostly each episode finishes with a cliff hanger, a serail is usually made up of 13 episodes, but this varies from different programmes. An example of a serial is Waterloo Road. It is a serial because each episode is linked to the next and ends in suspense.

Soaps: A soap is an on going serial drama set in a typically enclosed location such as Albert Square. It includes a large cast of central episodes, also it's an everlasting serial. An example of a soap is Eastenders. This is because each episode doesn't have a specific ending and it is never ending. Another example is Hollyoaks as it is very similar because it has a narrative that is prolonged throughout many episodes.

The Series: Unlike a soap or a serial, a series has an end to each episode. It contains the same lead characters but with a completely different story in each linked episode. A few examples of a series is Outnumbered and Inbetweeners. Outnumbered is a series as it includes the criteria that suits a series. Each episode has a unique storyline, without any cliffhangers.The same as Inbetweeners, it involves different narratives in most of its episodes, with an exception for an episode to end on a cliffhanger.

Mini series: A mini series is a serial of series of up to about 6 episodes. Hollyoaks Later is a mini series as it contans a few epidsodes rather than 13+. Hollyoaks Later have made a few mini series as a spin off from the main soap Hollyoaks. Each mini series has roughly 5 episodes each meaning it is smaller than the main soap itself.

The one-off drama: As it says, a special drama of only one episode. An example of a one-off drama is Dappers. Dappers is a one-off 30-minute comedy-drama from Mamma Mia. There is only one episode of Dappers meaning it's a one-off drama.

The costume drama This is typically known as an adaptation of a classic text such as Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice, or a Dickens novel such as Bleak house. They usually take place in elaborate costumes, sets, and properties are featured in order to capture the ambiance of a particular era. As Pride and Prejudice was a period drama, the design required more research than contemporary films. The personality and wealth of the characters were reflected in their costumes. For example, the wealthy Bingley sisters were never shown in print dresses and they wore big feathers in their hair. All of the correct adaptations were met in Pride and Prejudice, therefore it became a hit costume drama, with betweern 10 and 11 million viewers watching the 6 original episodes broadcasted.