Posted on 04/11/2011 5:24:46 PM PDT by stylecouncilor
CANNES, France -- Lavish, high-end television dramas with star-studded casts are making a big comeback this year, many of them international co-productions which underline the global character of the genre, television industry experts say.
"We’re seeing more very large TV drama productions with casts of well-known international stars," said Laurine Garaude, director of the television division at Reed Midem, which organizes the annual MIPTV audiovisual entertainment show trade show which took place in Cannes last week.
"This is a trend that is growing and people are really trying to create global stories that work everywhere in the world," Garaude told AFP.
Many of the new productions draw from history -- telling well-known stories that have fascinated people over the ages or casting a light on obscure or forgotten events that occurred not long ago.
The return of the big historical period drama was heralded by the success of the British fantasy drama Merlin and a remake of the Edwardian period saga Upstairs Downstairs.
Both shows have been picked up around the world, with Merlin still casting its spell on audiences as production of series four gets under way for broadcast this autumn.
(Excerpt) Read more at bworldonline.com ...
Yes, but only the Brits do them justice.
Loved the original Upstairs Downstairs.
I have the new one on the DVR, I’ll probably watch it tonight.
I agree!
One thing British TV recognizes is quality over quantity. Look at “Life on Mars,” “Inspector Morse,” and even sitcoms (”Fawlty Towers” was on 12 episodes; two blocks of six, four years apart.)
You bet; outside a few International mystery series, the Brit period pieces are outstanding, the only things worth watching on TV.
See The Octopus (LaPiovra, from Italy, about the Sicilian & int’l mafia); detective shows Maigret, Montalbano, Donna Leon’s Venetian detective Brunetti (?), the Wallander series, and even Varg Veum. All have English subtitles.
I liked Morse when it was based on Dexter’s books. Wasn’t delighted with the later series, but it was certainly better than anything made in America.
Is The Avengers considered a period drama?
Czas Honoru (Time of Honor) - About the Polish underground during WWII.
Thanks! I’ll look for it. Does it mention Monte Casino?
There was a Japanese weekly on Saturday a few years ago on one of the Dish stations. The 1/2 hour show followed the exploits of a blind samurai in fudal Japan. It was shown with subtitles.
Just googled Garrow’s Law. I saw one or two episodes, and it disappeared! It WAS good. Will have my son get it from Netflix. Thanks!
LOVE historical fiction, so love the period dramas :)
Gad, she was great—and before the ERA started to insist on such heroines.
Sounds interesting.
Remember “Shogun” in 1980 on NBC? I think the Brits would have made that a true masterpiece.
I’ve been meaning to watch Inspector Lewis. Have you seen it yet?
I remember “Dallas”
Maybe a TV series about the full life of Obama?
It could be the shortest mini series ever with what we know about him though.
Or the most questioned documentary of all time.
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