Contemporary British Television Drama

The emergence of a new style of British television drama in the early twenty-first century, which adopts the professional practices and production values of high-end American television while remaining British in content and outlook, is analyzed in this book. James Chapman explores the themes and formal paradigms of post-millennial drama in eight popular shows, including Spooks, Foyle's War, Hustle, Life on Mars, Ashes to Ashes, Downton Abbey, Sherlock, and Broadchurch, and demonstrates how contemporary drama has re-configured genres for modern audiences. He concludes that television drama has played an integral role in the economic and cultural export of Britishness.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 200 pages
\n Publication date: 28 May 2020
\n Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
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The early twenty-first century has witnessed the emergence of a novel genre of television drama in Britain, which seamlessly blends professional practices and production values reminiscent of high-end American television while maintaining a distinctively British essence in content and perspective. This comprehensive book delves into the analysis of eight notable dramas, including Spooks, Foyle's War, Hustle, Life on Mars, Ashes to Ashes, Downton Abbey, Sherlock, and Broadchurch. These captivating productions have garnered immense popularity among audiences and, in their unique ways, exemplify the thematic and formal paradigms of post-millennial drama.

In his insightful exploration, James Chapman situates new British drama within its institutional and economic contexts, delving into their critical and popular reception while also examining their social politics in relation to their representations of class, gender, and nationhood. Through meticulous analysis, he demonstrates how contemporary drama has adeptly mobilized both new and residual elements to re-configure genres such as the spy series, cop show, and costume drama, catering to the cultural tastes of modern audiences. Furthermore, the book concludes that television drama has played a vital role in both the economic and cultural export of Britishness, contributing to the nation's global reputation and influence.

\n Weight: 320g\n
Dimension: 233 x 156 x 13 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781780765235\n \n