British television shows are highly regarded around the world for their creativity and quality. From classic dramas to surreal comedy and long-running soaps, British TV has always been fertile ground for aspiring thespians. Over the last few years, British TV has entered a new golden age, and anyone currently taking acting classes is surely paying careful attention!
Here’s a look at some of the current trends in British TV and emerging opportunities for actors.
The golden age of crime dramas
Crime dramas have always been a perennial favourite of British TV, but the past few years have seen a conveyor belt of quality productions such as Line of Duty, Peaky Blinders, The Fall, Happy Valley, Broadchurch and more. They have garnered millions of fans and worldwide audiences.
These series have all hit a winning formula of gripping plots, authentic settings, strong emotional cores, and of course excellent performances. With plenty more crime series in the pipeline, this is a rich seam for aspiring actors to tap into.
Such shows often have lead characters that are complex and sometimes even morally ambiguous, providing substantial and demanding roles for talented actors. Often crime dramas run into multiple series, so they provide actors with much-prized security and continuity in their careers.
Genre blending formats
Hybrid formats have come into the spotlight in recent years, blending different genres in creative ways, and the Brits are producing some of the best examples in TV. For example, there’s the long running Dr Who series that is constantly reinventing itself for new audiences. It blends science fiction with action adventure and appeals to kids, teens and adults alike.
Sherlock is another good example; it is based on the classic crime novels by Arthur Conan Doyle, but is set in the modern day and combines elements of drama, science fiction, and innovations such as on-screen graphics to provide an insight into Sherlock’s Byzantine thought processes.
Hybrid shows offer opportunities for actors who enjoy pushing the boundaries of their craft and are comfortable with adapting between different styles of acting.
Historical and period dramas
Period dramas are the bread and butter of British TV, and over the years there have been hundreds of adaptations of classic novels and originally scripted dramas. Such shows often have very large and diverse casts, with opportunities across all age ranges, social groups and physical types.
Recent years have seen the huge popularity of shows such as Bridgerton and The Crown, following on from the success of Downton Abbey and Poldark. They offer the chance for high-profile roles that allow an actor to delve deep into different periods of history and social and political attitudes.
Contemporary dramas
The past few years have seen hit TV shows by a new generation of writers, such as Killing Eve, I May Destroy You, It’s A Sin and Normal People. These provide challenging roles for ambitious actors who enjoy tackling contemporary issues with complex storylines, and can produce subtle and nuanced performances.