This document discusses the genre of historical/costume dramas on television. It notes that these productions are set in historical eras and feature elaborate costumes from that time period. They typically have a multi-stranded narrative structure, are part of a series, use flashbacks, and depict upper class representations focusing on aspects like class, gender, and age rather than sexuality, disability, or ethnicity. Mise-en-scene plays an important role through the use of accurate costumes, settings, props, and body language to make the shows believable as period pieces.

1. H st or i cal /cost um
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By Katie Barnes

2. Historical genre: A television production set in a
historical era, in which actors wear costumes
particular to that era.

3. Codes and conventions
• Elaborate costumes to create the ambience of
that particular time period.
• Multi stranded narrative (each character has their
own storyline)
• Part of a series
• Flashbacks used
• Critically and commercially successful
• Often scheduled at 9pm
• On screen scenes are rarely graphic meaning
representations are often left to the audience’s
imagination
• High production values (location and studio
setting, costume design, sound design, star
marketing)
• Distributed in UK and US
• Audience appeals (based on historical fact)
• Expensive cast, for example, Dame Maggie Smith.

4. Binary opposites
Few binary opposites feature in period drama due to the
fact that they are set in a particular era, in which there is
not much conflict.
However, in some period television dramas, there is
sometimes a binary opposite relationship between two
people with a difference in class. For example, in
Downton Abbey, a conflict can be shown between
Thomas and Mr Bates. Mr bates is seen as the hero, and
Thomas is seen as the coward.

5. Stereotypes and Archetypes
Stereotype:
A stereotype is a visual shortcut that is used so
that the audience will immediately understand
people. For example, in Pride and Prejudice, the
stereotype that women should be set up with
an ‘eligible bachelor’ has been used.
Archetypes:
An archetype is the ultimate stereotype, for
example, in Pride and Prejudice, the wealthy man
has to marry in order to have legitimate heir to
carry on his family legacy.

6. Typical narratives.
Typical narratives that are used in historical/period
genres are usually multi-stranded narratives based
on the character. This means to tell a story from
more than one person’s point of view.

7. Representations
In period dramas and
historical dramas such as
Downton Abbey or Pride and
Prejudice, there are not many
representations of
sexuality, disability, ethnicity
or regional identity. The main
representations that are
shown in period dramas
include age, class and gender.
For example, class is very
important, and the people
that the drama is based
around are usually upper
class. An example of this is
Downton Abbey.

8. Controversial subject matter
This genre does not usually include any
controversial subject matter due to the fact that
in the time period in which they were set, public
disputes were rare and usually very formal.

9. Mise en scene plays a main part in this
subgenre, due to the fact that the shows
need to me made to be believable. The
main part of this that is used, is the
costume. Period dramas such as
Downton Abbey and Pride and Prejudice
are set around the 1920’s, therefore
everything needs to me made to look
believable. As well as this, setting and
props need to be taken into
consideration to make the whole show
seem true. The body language included
in shows such as these need to also be
taken into careful consideration. The
body language used can not be used
naturally, shows such as these include
wealthy people who are upper
class, therefore the actors/actresses that
feature need to stand tall and act
appropriately for the role.
Mise-en-scene