The Serial – continuing narrative over a limited number of linked programmes with an over arching narrative. It the much the same cast, such as Footballers’ Wives, and a cliffhanger at the end of each episode. Closure is only achieved at the end of the run. Typically made in 13 episodes – a quarter of a year. Examples include State of Play and Rome.
Soaps – an ongoing, multi-stranded television serial drama, typically set in an enclosed location such as Albert Square in Eastenders, Coronation Street, or Emmerdale, with a large cast of central characters and arching story lines. The soap is an everlasting serial.
The Series - linked programmes with the same lead characters where each episode is a complete story Spooks (BBC), House (C5) or The Bill (ITV), Heartbeat (ITV) or Midsummer Murders, Agatha Christie’s Poirot (ITV) Casualty (BBC) and Dr Who (BBC) or US series like Superman.
Series drama usually conforms to certain genres such as:
•Medical - Casualty, Holby City
•Crime and Justice – The Bill, Life on Mars (see case study), Ashes to Ashes
•Family – Smallville
•High School – Skins
•A type of Science fiction – Dr Who, Heroes, Torchwood
Other classifications of TV drama:
The mini-series – a serial or series of up to about 6 episodes.
The one-off drama – as it says, a special drama of only one episode.
The costume drama – typically an adaptation of a classic text such as Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, or a Dickens' novel such as Bleak House.
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