Representations within TV dramas

ClassDownton Abbey

Downton Abbey is set in a large manor house with a lot of grounds, this suggests that the characters involved in this programme are upper class socio-economic groups A and B. The women dress very well for example the are often seen wearing hats and expensive dresses. Stereotypically upper class people are snobby and selfish; the representation of most characters in this drama comply with this stereotype as they believe they are dominant and are above most things their ‘servants’ would do.

Call the midwife gives the audience an insight into many different classes. However some of their main storylines are based on poor families- socio-economic groups D and E. Usually these families are very large and there is not enough living space for them all. Stereotypically these people are subordinate and inferior to most people. Additionally the representations of class comply with stereotypes as they are often disregarded by society.

SexualityEastEnders and Waterloo Road

In both Waterloo Road and Eastenders one of the characters in the homosexual relationship is physically stereotypical e.g. Christian (Eastenders) and Nikki (Waterloo road). Eastenders shows Christian taking care of his appearance, wearing tight clothing and having a ‘girl best friend’. Nikki is said to have left the army, she is tough and she likes pe. Both these characters are stereotypical as they comply with the oversimplified image of a homosexual. On the other hand Syed and Vix are not stereotypical. For example Vix is represented as ‘girly’, she styles her hair and takes pride in her appearance. Syed is different in that he is represented as Muslim- this is not stereotypical of a Muslim man as ‘being gay’ is often frowned upon. Both Syed and Vix challenge the sexuality stereotypes. I think Eastenders depicts homosexuals to be subordinate as Syed and Christian have a lot of problems when they tell Syed’s family that they are together.

Disability/abilityWaterloo Road

Tariq was once an able bodied teenager, however after an accident he was left in a wheelchair. Whilst he is in the wheelchair he decides that his life is no longer worth living as he has become too dependent on others. This TV drama represented him as strong willed and courageous as given the correct support and encouragement he was able to take up a sport which he could concentrate on and became very good at. Tariq’s story was stereotypical as he had given up and couldn’t see that any good would come from his situation; they additionally portrayed him as subordinate as he felt weaker and more vulnerable than his able bodied friends.

In Eastenders there is a character who has bi-polar, this is a mental illness which is misunderstood by many people. Jean shows stereotypical symptoms of a ‘crazy’ lady e.g. OCD and madness. As the storylines in the drama unfold they help the audience to understand her condition and how this character has a real disability. Jean’s disability has been represented has often resulted in her appearing to be subordinate. For instance people take advantage of her and also sometimes don’t consider her as a person.

Regional identityWaterloo road

Dynasty Barry has joined the show having come from Liverpool with her mum, brother and sister. She is represented as image conscious, intellectual and outgoing. Parts of her character are stereotypical of a Liverpudlian for example her image and boldness however she would not usually be stereotyped as intellectual. This TV drama represents her and her family as dominant as they never back down or let other people win.

Connor who is from Scotland is represented as loving and

responsible as he is married and has had a struggle with his alcoholic mum. This challenges the stereotypes associated with Scottish people as they are stereotyped to be ‘mean’ and ‘cold’. Additionally I think that Scottish people are represented as dominant as Connor’s mum Christine is the head teacher at Waterloo Road.

AgeEastEnders

In Eastenders Dot is one of the more long-standing characters within the TV drama. Therefore she is one of the oldest actors/actresses as well. Some of the recent storylines have featured Dot being tricked by conmen resulting in them entering and stealing from her house. This represents elderly people as vulnerable and weak. This additionally represents the elderly as a subordinate group in society.

Additionally Liam in Eastenders had recently been featured in a storyline related to gangs and crime. Stereotypically youths are seem to be troublemakers and disrespectful. Eastenders has reinforced this stereotype as the gang Liam gets into steals and in the end stabs Liam. This storyline represents young people to be insensitive and selfish.

Ethnicity Eastenders

I think the Masood family are very much stereotyped in Eastenders as they comply with the rules and many aspects of their religion. For example Shabnam is represented as a good Indian girl as she cooks, cleans and makes sure the family are ‘together’. However their ethnicity has been challenged by Syed’s sexuality and Zainab and Masood’s divorce. At times Masood has been represented as the stereotypical dominant male in the Muslim household.

When Dexter first joined the show he was characterised as a stereotypical angry streetwise teenage Afro-Caribbean. As the narratives have progressed he has been represented as caring, friendly and loving. This is not stereotypical of Afro-Caribbeans as they can often be stereotyped as criminal and disrespectful.

GenderEastEnders

In Eastenders Max Branning is a father to 4 children and has had relationships with various different women. Max has featured in ‘love triangles’ for example Tanya + Stacey and Tanya + Kirsty. I think these storylines have represented men as disloyal and selfish. I think to a certain extent that this stereotype has been supported as it tends to be men who cheat in a relationship, however Max does comply with the stereotypical ‘bread winner’ as he does provide for his family.

Lola is a young mum, she is not with the baby’s father and has been through court procedures as her baby Lexi was taken away from her by social services. Lola is represented as a loving mother who cannot afford to look after her baby and she has also been claimed to ‘not be fit to be a mother’. Stereotypically young single mothers are not regarded highly and there is often some speculation as to whether they should be allowed to keep their baby with them. The representation of Lola complies with stereotypes.