Claudine
26-08-2009, 01:05 AM
The BBC is to move away from traditional 19th century-set "bonnet" dramas in favour of a grittier look at the period and a new focus on other historical eras.
This change, which follows the appointment of Ben Stephenson, 31, as head of drama commissioning, will mean that there will be less of the likes of Tess of the D'Urbervilles, Cranford, Oliver Twist, Jane Eyre, Daniel Deronda and Pride and Prejudice.
In their place the BBC is planning more period dramas along the lines of this week's The Diary of Anne Frank and the remake of John Buchan's spy novel, The 39 Steps, which was shown over Christmas.
The move comes after ratings dipped for BBC1's most recent costume drama, Charles ****ens's Little Dorrit, which sank to a low of 2.5 million viewers for one midweek episode last month. By comparison, The Diary of Anne Frank pulled in around 4.5 million viewers, while The 39 Steps, starring the former Spooks actor Rupert Penry-Jones, attracted 7.3 million.
A BBC drama insider said: "There is to be an evolution in the presentation of period dramas, moving away from classic 19th century so-called 'bonnet' dramas to looking at other periods of history. This will allow us to look at other times and places in British and world history. The aim is to give drama audiences something new and different to enjoy."
The BBC insider said that traditional costume dramas would not be abandoned altogether, with the probability of a further as yet undisclosed adaptation later this year.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/jan/10/television-bbc-drama
I wonder about this since there are still awaiting news of Lady Susan, Sanditon and The Watsons adaptations. Period Dramas are always popular for men and for women and the many amounts of Jane Austen Societies and groups, blogs etc...
I think they think there is nothing left surely there are those above and the continuation books of Joan Austen Leigh, Catherine Hubback and others surely not worth giving up?
Claudine
Moderator
JAC Online Forum
This change, which follows the appointment of Ben Stephenson, 31, as head of drama commissioning, will mean that there will be less of the likes of Tess of the D'Urbervilles, Cranford, Oliver Twist, Jane Eyre, Daniel Deronda and Pride and Prejudice.
In their place the BBC is planning more period dramas along the lines of this week's The Diary of Anne Frank and the remake of John Buchan's spy novel, The 39 Steps, which was shown over Christmas.
The move comes after ratings dipped for BBC1's most recent costume drama, Charles ****ens's Little Dorrit, which sank to a low of 2.5 million viewers for one midweek episode last month. By comparison, The Diary of Anne Frank pulled in around 4.5 million viewers, while The 39 Steps, starring the former Spooks actor Rupert Penry-Jones, attracted 7.3 million.
A BBC drama insider said: "There is to be an evolution in the presentation of period dramas, moving away from classic 19th century so-called 'bonnet' dramas to looking at other periods of history. This will allow us to look at other times and places in British and world history. The aim is to give drama audiences something new and different to enjoy."
The BBC insider said that traditional costume dramas would not be abandoned altogether, with the probability of a further as yet undisclosed adaptation later this year.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/jan/10/television-bbc-drama
I wonder about this since there are still awaiting news of Lady Susan, Sanditon and The Watsons adaptations. Period Dramas are always popular for men and for women and the many amounts of Jane Austen Societies and groups, blogs etc...
I think they think there is nothing left surely there are those above and the continuation books of Joan Austen Leigh, Catherine Hubback and others surely not worth giving up?
Claudine
Moderator
JAC Online Forum