Crime drama is a drama that focuses on heroes such as Policemen, and DCIs

who investigate things such as robberies and homicide. Crime drama has been
on our televisions since 1954, and has made significant change throughout that
time. There is a variety of different programmes within this genre available to us
because of these advancements, they are there to entertain and intrigue exciting
many different audiences. Within this essay we look at the stereotypical
narrative that crime drama programmes have followed, and how some differ. We
look at the audience that tune in weekly to shows such as Broadchurch and
Death in Paradise. The change in time that the genre itself has had from the first
police programme Fabian of Scotland Yard, to The Bill, and Silent Witness. Finally
we look at what the genre represents what it shows us about society, for
example the inclusion or even the exclusion of women through this piece of
media.
The narrative structure can change due to the characteristic of the programme,
whether it is a series, or a one off TV show. This can
all change the sort of narrative the show has, for
example the stereotypical outline of a Crime Drama
Beginning- Crime-Solving- End resolving the crime
and making an arrest. Silent Witness clearly
demonstrates the changing narrative. As an ongoing
Television series, it tends to produce two parted
episodes, ultimately stretches the stereotypical
narrative. This keep the audience gripped as they
wish to know what is happening and allows for the
drama the audience crave. Other shows such as
Sherlock, Midsummer murders and Luther produce
one storyline per episode, these follow suit of the
stereotypical narrative. But the audience are able to
build more of a relationship with the characters.
Broach church conducted their show differently in comparison to Mid-Summer
Murders or Scott and Bailey. There was only ever one storyline over 2 series. This
gave the audience more of an emotional connection as they are able to see in
more detail the storyline and characters. One off episodes are seen to be rare in
the genre of crime drama, though on New Years Day 2016- Sherlock released a
one off programme that was different to their other series. This made it more
interesting for regular viewers of the programme, but it was a simple narrative
and it stayed in that one episode. Through shows such as Sherlock, Luther and
Broad church had one going narratives with the characters and the stories with
them.
Within the narrative there are some codes and conventions that come with this
genre, that are then seen as typical and stereotypical of anything based on that
genre. Location, is an important part of this genre. Majority of crime dramas tend
to be based within a city, due to the crime rate being higher. Meanwhile, rural
areas crime rate tend to be considerably lower, but crime dramas are still based
in this location. To demonstrate, Midsummer Murders is based in a small village
within Oxfordshire, this is still perceived well by the audiences. Locations also
include buildings such as a morgue- for when physician investigates the bodies,
or a police station as they are second homes to main of the heros within a crime
drama. Another one of the code and conventions of the genre are the characters

that are included within these programmes, for instance a police officer,
detective, and a victim are just some of the main characters that are included in
the programmes.
Different programmes, have different styles. This can rely on the characters,
location and even whether the programme is a series, one off, or an extended
narrative. When looking at shows such as
Silent Witness this program is conducted
in the style of realistic this is
demonstrated throughout the whole
programme, for instance we can see the
stages of an investigation and how they
would be conducted in real life. As well as
seeing characters at crime scenes and
Normal places. In contrast, audiences of
Sherlock grasp that it is based on the
works of Sir Arthur Condoyle. This is
backed up by the occasional use of animation throughout the television series,
they may when Sherlock is thinking a circle of words will appear around his head
this demonstrates what is going on in his thoughts. I think actually music add to
the style and effect of the programme. Silent Witness clearly demonstrates this.
For example when they find a victim music is played in the background this adds
drama and creates suspense for the audience. One other thing that creates the
style, is the positions in which the camera display the story. Camera angles are
one of the main aspects, as this is what communicates the story to the audience.
Close ups happen to one of the main shots used and they are focused on the
main characters; this allows the audience to clearly see emotions and gain an
understanding of the characters. Establishing shots are a key aspect due to it
setting the scene explaining to the audience the setting of the drama, what is
happening, and the main characters occasionally. The aspect of lighting is
important in this genre and when using the camera, having a dark and moody
background creates drama and appeals the audience as this brings out the tense
situations and creates adrenaline for the audience.
The audience for crime drama has changed throughout time, in the beginning
with programmes such as Dixon of Dock, and Fabian of Scotland Yard they were
seen as family friendly programmes- these would look at the basic and
traditional police force, and it would display to the audience what an ordinary
day as a policemen is like; this is a large jump to what it is now with programmes
such as Luther and Death in Paradise which are aimed largely at the older age
group, as they have darker stories with murder, motive and other dramatic
content. Crime drama is typically aimed at the older age category this is due to
the content within the programmes as they are generally not child friendly, this
includes violence such as thefts, and murder. The programmes may also be
certificated to restrict those not old enough to view the production.
The gender of the audience depends on the programme and when it has been
broadcast. To demonstrate, the first crime drama was released in 1954. During
this period in time men were seen as the breadwinners, and women would take
care of household. This leads to the audience being predominately women as
they would be at home when programme was being shown on TV. Whereas now

the programmes are broader and they are seen as gender neutral, though with
crime dramas now such as Whitechapel, and CSI. The more gruesome and dark
the storylines become within the genre, they may be watched and enjoyed
stereotypically more by men, but in recent years crime drama has had a large
following by females.
When it comes to the type of person that would view these programmes it
becomes slightly difficult as a large variety of people can access these, I feel that
groups A,B, and C1 are more likely to watch the programmes such as Sherlock,
Silent witness, and Luther due to the complex story lines and the content within
it, though these groups tend to have high demanding jobs which can restrict
their time to view the television, but with the technology we are able to watch
the programmes where and whenever we would like. Groups C2, and D have the
time to view the programs, and would still grasp the storylines. Any of the lower
groups, due to cost may not afford to watch these programmes, but for instance
students have access to Wi-Fi and computers allowing them to view these
programmes.

Crime drama has been a foreverchanging genre, within all medium but
more specifically television. The first
ever police show was released in 1954,
it was called Fabian of Scotland yard. It
was a television show that was based on
true stories of a senior police officer.
People at that time were interested in
the day to day life of a police officer, this
programme ended in 1956 but was
followed by other programmes such as Murder bag in 1957-59, Crime Sheet
1959, and No Hiding place 1959-1967; These programmes followed the same
suit as Fabian of Scotland Yard. With 1960s British consensus being slightly
corrupt, and the armed forces being seen carrying armed weaponry, the
audiences craved more than just the traditional police. This then brings us Dixon
and Dock Green. It was seen as a ground breaking series as it was an actual
crime fiction series, it displayed crime events whilst following around a
policemen and it truly displayed what the life of a policemen was actually like,
whilst in comparison to the Fabian of Scotland yardthis showed the more boring side of the police work.
After this brought programmes such as The Bill, and
A touch of frost, these programmes were seen as
overly different. In 1992, A Touch Of Frost started;
This programme differed from, other programmes
before it. Firstly it features women it high roles within
the police force, A Touch of Frost demonstrated that
women could be bread winners too. Secondly, A
touch of Frost progressed their stories to match the
criminals acts being committed at the time. To
illustrate this was crimes such as murder and theft.
As a result this raised the age limit in crime drama,
though increased viewers as it fulfilled their need
from the genre. The Bills was similar to A Touch of
Frost as it made many advancements within the
genre. It displayed characters from different ethnic groups, this created diversity
within crime drama. Equally important, they had more of a gender neutral
programme as they were inclusive of women.
I feel that the major movements within this genre are firstly traditional to the
more modern drama. This can be seen through many different programmes,
through technological advancements allowing the production company to create
stunts, explosions and other actions that criminals may commit. These
technological advancements allow the producers to fulfil the needs of the
audience, as they dont want to see traditional and Boring police work, with the
increased severity of crimes, people wish to see the more sever cases. For
example within Sherlock season 2, Sherlock jumped off a very tall building, with
the technological advancements the were able to create a realistic view of this, it
gave the programme the dramatics it needed. Whereas before it would be a
member of the police telling stories to viewers at home, it was largely basic but
the stories with the technological advancements have created a very
distinguishable difference. I think the audience needed the technological

advancement within the crime drama they watch due to the fact that we see the
sort of things such as bombs, murders and gunfire in our everyday life. So the
movement within the genre has been something that has progressed as society
and the world has progressed, to keep
the interest of the viewer, they need to
display the sort of things that we
already see every day for example
Wars such as Afghanistan, terrorist
attacks, and shootings are just some of
the things the see in every day lives.
They matters have been one of the
reasons why the stories with in crime
drama have become more complex,
due to society seeing some of the recent crimes being commit they have become
desensitised to these attacks, forcing crime drama to progress with time.
Another thing is that this genre definitely displays the changing through eras,
such as gender, and race. In the beginning, the crime dramas, would never
feature women or any other ethnicity other than British. But now, with
programmes such as the bill, touch of frost, and Luther just demonstrate the
movements within society. The audience watching has changed as well as
society. The original detective family based drama has transitioned to a scientific
based drama. Young professional now watch, so they need to make it more
engaging for the growing and improving audiences.
Representation of the characters in the programmes has definitely changed
through out time, age I think is one of the biggest aspects. The stereotypical age
of many of the detectives would be middle age men, midsummer murders is a
prime example of that, the main characters are both two middle age men and
this programme also displays stereotypical lifestyle as the main detective is out
working whilst his wife maintains the household. Another thing about the age is
generally with women they are
generally too young and
inexperienced, or they are seen
as too old and are in a desk
job/simple role. Gender is
another aspect that is clearly
represented through out the
genre. During the period in
which crime drama began
women were never features through the genre, until programmes such as A
Touch of Frost or The Bill. But still at that point men tend to be seen in the top
positions for example in crime drama Scott and Bailey who are female
detectives, who are portrayed in a slightly harsh way, having slight manic
personal lives and they are still working under a male boss- demonstrating that
men are in control of women.
To conclude, crime drama has transformed through the many years it has been
on Television screen. From the audience to the code conventions, it has made a
leap in creating the exciting and intriguing genre we watch today.