This document provides guidance on analyzing regional identity in television shows and films. It lists things to consider when watching a clip, such as how characters from different regions are portrayed and treated. Examples are given of shows set in or featuring characters from various UK regions. Key aspects of regional identity for different UK regions are identified, such as accents, clothing, stereotypes. Viewers are advised to analyze representation choices like costumes, sounds and editing when exploring how individuals and groups are portrayed. Specific television drama clips are provided as examples to analyze in terms of regional identity representation.

1. Regional Identity
If you get “regional identity” as an issue in the exam, you
should be thinking about the following things when watching the
clip:
• Can I identify where the characters are from within the country?
• Are people from different areas shown as having different interests,
personalities, attitudes, behaviours? If so, how?
• Is their regional identity represented as being important in their life?
• Are people from particular regions portrayed as being better, more
powerful, than others?
• Are people from particular regions portrayed as being abnormal
/weaker/ more pathetic than others?
• How do other characters in the clip treat the characters from different
regions?
• What is the message the clip is trying to portray about regional identity?

2. Examples
Some shows that feature different regional characters
(or are based in different regions)
•Torchwood (London, Wales, Space)
•Eastenders (East London)
•The Only way Is Essex (Essex)
•Made In Chelsea (West London)
•Skins (Bristol)
•Coronation Street (Manchester)
•Shameless (Manchester)

3. Regional Identity (UK)
• Estuary (London, Kent)
• Yorkshire
• Mancunian (Manchester)
• Cockney (East London)
• Geordie (Newcastle)
• Scouse (Liverpool)
• Brummie (Birmingham)
• West Country
• Scottish
• Welsh
• Northern Irish
• Irish

4. Regional Identity
• In pairs, create a list of all the things you associate with
that particular region:
• Accents
• Slang
• Clothing
• Celebrities/people
• Stereotypes
• Food
• Class
• Items

5. Reminder!
When exploring the representation of individuals and
groups, we must explore the connotations of the choices
the filmmakers have made…
•Costume
•Hair/make-up
•Facial expressions
•Voice – tone/accent
•Props
•Sound
•Camera angles/movement/shots
•Editing

6. TV Drama Episodes
How is regional identity represented in the following
clips? (Remember to use terminology)
The Only Way is Essex
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkeHPBWW2b0
Coronation Street
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OrFHqMdyYk
Doc Martin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gfYWZzaTBI

7. TV Drama Episodes
How is regional identity represented in the following
clips? (Remember to use terminology)
The Only Way is Essex
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkeHPBWW2b0
Coronation Street
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OrFHqMdyYk
Doc Martin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gfYWZzaTBI