What is a serial TV drama?
Serial television drama is defined as any television drama that is organised into a series of episodes – as opposed to one-off dramas.
Serial television drama can contain any number of episodes, but typically might contain 3-12 episodes. Of course, if a show proves to be popular with audiences, further series or seasons will be commissioned.
Often a cliffhanger features in a season finale and this can only be resolved in the premiere of the next season.
Serial television dramas typically have story arcs that span a series and a continuing plot that unfolds in an episodic nature.
There are several sub-genres of serial television drama, all of which are appropriate for Unit 1 purposes.
These include the following: costume/period drama, medical drama, such as Casualty and Holby City, procedural/crime drama, and an eclectic mix ranging from Waterloo Road and Dickensian to Doctor Who.