TV Drama Representation

Tom Smith

ClassThis class represents the higher class people in Downton Abbey, they either in formal dresses or wearing formal suits. It shows a contrast between other classes, they wear fine cloths made for the rich and are clean. The servants of this programme wear uniforms to show that they are of lower class, the uniform is not made to look good but just to show that they are servants, only the men wear formal clothing and the women are dressed to work in a kitchen.

SexualitySexuality is often referred to and represented in stereotypical characters

Gay men – camp, feminine, funny, sleep aroundLesbian women – butch, blunt, man hatersStraight men/women – normal, ideal

GenderTraditional masculine man – muscly, strong, brave heterosexual, working in manual jobs. Often aggressive, tall and dominant over women.New man- Often shown as being less masculine but still heterosexual, very peaceful, looks after the family, stays at home to look after the family, does cleaning and cooking ect, shown equal to women.Gay man – shown as more feminine, weak working in jobs like fashion.

Traditional feminine women – often shown as being girly, likes pink, wears dresses and does jobs like working in fashion or stays at home, scared of things, needs a man to cope.Sexy woman- very flirty, dresses in a revealing way more powerful that traditional women, used men to get what she wants, no loyalty to other women.Lesbian women -often shown as dressing in a masculine fashion, doing masculine roles, hating men.

AgeChildren – shown as being young, innocent, naïve, pure, sweet, helpless and powerless, but not all the time.Teenagers- Often shown as being aggressive, moody, lazy, criminals, hates school.20s to 30s – often shown as the ideal age for love, parties, fun, fun, making money, being glamorous and attractive. Middle Aged- often shown as being past it, unattractive, not aware of popular culture, uncool, boring lives, powerful, dominant over others, no real connection to their kids, grumpy. In films villains tend to be in this age group.Elderly – often shown as being unattractive, slow, weak, ill, confused, pathetic, powerless, not important and dependent on others.

EthnicityThe representation of people from different ethnicities has changed dramatically over the years, partly because the population of many countries like Britain are more diverse.

Black people – shown as exotic, strange, tribal, criminal, poor in gangs.Asian people – mainly as intelligent, submissive, quiet, shy, interested in technologyWhite population – shown as good, pure, heroes, strong and sometimes racistIndian – poor, living in large families, traditionalMiddle Eastern – violent, aggressive, rich, terroristHispanic – poor, servants, nannies, into crime and gangsImmigrants – drain on society, criminals, illegal, bad for Britain, taking jobs

Disability• Physically disabled people / disfigured

people – shown as outsiders, unable to do normal things.

• Mentally disabled people- Often shown as strange, odd, childlike or as outsiders

• Able bodied / minded people – often shown as “normal” and “ideal”

Regional IdentityThe regional identity of the TV drama “Sherlock” is that they are English and living in London. Being English, they are thought to be posh and rich because they can afford to live in London, also being viewed as upper class.

The regional identity of the TV drama “Downton Abbey” is that they are English. They are clearly upper class which means they are rich, they live in an abbey and are royal. The time period shows that they are very traditional.