I’ve blogged about my favourite TV series’ numerous times now and upon reflection, have noticed that all of them are American shows. No real surprise but why?
As BBC costume drama Upstairs Downstairs has been axed, we ask, why are British drama series’ just not up to scratch with their US counterparts?
Sunday nights should have been all about Upstairs Downstairs and Titanic while instead most people abandoned ship on Titanic before it even got underway. In stark contrast, Channel 4 have seen a steady viewer count with the successful US show Homeland and we must say, quite rightly so.
Homeland has been a huge success in the States and we’re glad that its seen similar acclaim over here in the UK. We like Homeland because its star is a) female and b) played by the incredibly talented Claire Danes. The plot swings in roundabouts and keeps us guessing which is no doubt a talent its creators have refined and honed since they worked on 24.
It also stars Brit Damian Lewis who despite the annoying voice, if you get past that, he’s both well cast and a great actor.
Delving deeper than the surface in Homeland are the various different relationships between the different actors and its enough to detract from the main plot line while providing great sub plots; something the creators have clearly also refined since their 24 days and the ridiculous sub plots involving Jack Bauer’s daughter Kim (Elisha Cuthbert).
The US also have two huge vampire serials; True Blood and The Vampire Diaries while over here, despite their best efforts, nothing can compare in terms of fan base or popularity. I’ll admit that I haven’t really given them a chance, namely I mean Being Human. While the premise sounds like something i’ll love, for some reason TVD and True Blood seem to keep me occupied so I’ve never watched one episodee and how many things can I watch?
The US also have huge girly drama serials such as Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars and The Secret Circle. It’s nothing new, they always have done and done it well but the UK have yet to really match them. In fact the only TV series’ that come to mind that have captured the hearts of the UK and even the US is Downton Abbey and Doctor Who and in all honesty, I haven’t seen either of those. Am I missing out?
I love my US TV shows. For as long as I can remember it’s been all about US shows which have captured my attention from my teenage years – from the Buffy days to Smallville (which, while not the most critically acclaimed show in the world, I do deeply miss) to the greatly and universally missed Lost and 24. It seems like every moment there is a US show being worked on and while some have not worked, there’s always a replacement lurking around the next corner. Am I wrong in my thinking that there really are no great British dramas out there? Tell me I’m desperate to know.
Loading ...
