This document discusses regional stereotypes portrayed in British television dramas. It outlines stereotypes associated with Scottish (e.g. money-obsessed, heavy drinkers), Irish (e.g. religious, good singers), Welsh (e.g. sheep farmers, naïve), English (e.g. football obsessed, posh or poor), and various regions within England including the North (e.g. working class), South (e.g. rich, cultured), London (e.g. posh or poor criminals), Essex (e.g. glamorous and stupid), Manchester (e.g. chavs), Yorkshire (e.g. rural farmers) and more.

1. Regional identity

2. Scottish
Stereotypes of Scottish people:
-money obsessed
-tight when spending money
-drinks a lot of alcohol
-loves the outdoors
-wears kilts
-eats haggis
-aggressive and violent
Example in TV drama- Waterloo Road
Example in TV drama- Waterloo Road
Christine is a heavy drinker and also has
demonstrated some violent behaviour.

3. Irish
Stereotypes of Irish people:
-live in the country
-work on farms
-very religious
-good at dancing and singing
-very friendly
-not very intelligent
-big drinkers
Examples within TV drama:
The fall- ‘thrilling crime serial’

4. Welsh
Stereotypes of Welsh people:
-Often shown as living in the middle of
the countryside
-attending to their sheep
-gibberish speaking (the Welsh language)
-naïve: over-friendly resulting in being
easily tricked
-can sing
-obsessed with rugby
Example within TV drama
The Valleys

5. English
Stereotypes of English people:
-can be seen as racist
-obsessed with beer
-obsessed with football
-living in London
Opposite stereotypes:
-very rich
-posh
-happy
-living in castles
-very “royal.”
Example in TV drama
EastEnders
Regional identity-
Dialogue: sometimes loud and outspoken e.g.
Bianca, common working class accent. Repetitive
use of slang.
Location: North- East London
Props: mobile phones, cars
Costume and Make-up: everyday
costumes, some suits and dresses for workplace.
Average every day make up for the women, on
some women it isn’t noticeable (subtle)
Class: working class

6. North
Stereotypes associated with the north:
-poor
-bad weather
-lower class
-aggressive
-less culture
-less clever
-doing working class jobs such as building

7. South
Stereotypes associated with the south:
-centre of culture
-modern
-classy
-clever
-sunny
-richer
-doing middle class jobs managerial jobs

8. South west
Stereotypes associated with the south west:
Cornwall / Somerset – Often shown as being
“backwards”
-living in rural areas
-working on farms
Example in TV drama
Doc Martin

9. London
2 stereotypes of Londoners:
One is that they are often shown as being rich, posh, snobby, upper class,
Hugh Grant types from central or west London.
Example in TV drama: Made in Chelsea
The other is that they are often shown as being from north, east or south
London, poor, common, lower class, criminalistics, violent “Kidulthood” style

10. Essex
Stereotypes associated with Essex:
-glamorous
-cheap
-footballer’s wives
-lots of partying
-being quite stupid
TV drama- The only way
is Essex
Regional identity-
Dialogue: common, unintelligent
Location: Essex/South
Props: small dogs, mobile phones , laptops
Costume and Make-up: over dramatic make up and fake
tan, often seen in short revealing clothes e.g. dresses
Class: middle class

11. Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle
Stereotypes associated with Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle:
-“chavs”
-wearing fake designer labels
-or tracksuits
-drinking a lot
-being aggressive
-uneducated
-criminals
Examples in TV drama
Manchester- Coronation Street
and Shameless (North West)
Liverpool- Hollyoaks (North West)

12. Yorkshire
Stereotypes associated with Yorkshire:
-Often shown as living in rural countryside
-Rolling hills
-cobbled streets
-being quite old fashioned
-boring
TV drama
Emmerdale

13. Comparisons within TV drama
When comparing two TV dramas I have chosen to compare EastEnders set in
London and The only way is Essex which is set in Essex. These two TV dramas
feature very different characters EastEnders being relatable and realistic
characters whereas TOWIE features over pampered princesses who maybe aren’t
as relatable for the audience. These TV dramas are binary opposites as the
characters within the programmes are very different due to regional identity. For
example the characters in Eastenders are working class e.g. Work on stalls and
corner shops whereas characters in the only way is Essex have higher paid jobs
and sometimes own their own business and brands which reflect their highly
rated appearance.
The characters within Eastenders fit the stereotype of East end Londoners as Liam
Butcher has been shown in a gang who committed crime and showed signs of
delinquent behaviour. This supports the stereotype of young people being
criminal. Eastenders additionally supports the good stereotype associated with
Londoners. For instance Mick and Linda Carter appear to be a nice ordinary family
who have taken on the Vic (pub). They have reasonable morals and support their
community.
The majority of the characters in The only way is Essex additionally support
stereotypes associated with Essex for example being spoilt and having an
excessive fake tan. They may not be particularly educated however they do have a
lot of money.