The TV Crime Drama - Paperback

by Sue Turnbull (Author)

The television crime drama has been a constant of the television landscape since it first migrated from film and radio onto the small screen in the 1950s. Since then, from Dixon of Dock Green to The Wire, from Minder to The Sopranos or Cracker to Dexter, the crime drama has continued to attract large audiences even as the depiction of the crime, the perpetrators and the investigators has changed. This book provides an historical analysis of the TV crime series as a genre by paying close attention not only to the nature of TV dramas themselves, but also to the context of production and reception. Rather than simply providing an overview, this book offers a series of case studies to illuminate key issues in the trajectory of the genre. Particular attention will be paid to the transnational career of the television crime drama, including the British and American product, as well as attention to crime drama series produced in other national contexts such as Europe and Australia. In terms of reception, this book includes original research on how the TV crime drama is perceived by audiences within the particular national context of Australia where American, British and European crime dramas vie for attention in the TV schedule alongside the local product. Finally, the future of the TV crime series is canvassed in a discussion of the changing television landscape and the shift to other forms of TV consumption enabled by new digital technologies.

Back Jacket

'Sue Turnbull's genealogy of television crime dramas is an exemplar of how to write about not only television programmes, but the content of entertainment more generally. Textually engaged but not textually deterministic, informed and passionate, this is a book written by someone who knows, loves and understands television crime series. Buy it - or steal it - now.' Alan McKee, Research Leader, School of Media, Entertainment and Creative Arts, Queensland University of Technology TV GENRES Deborah Jermyn and Su Holmes The TV Crime Drama Sue Turnbull What are the characteristic features of the crime drama as a television genre? What is the relationship between crime in the real world and the representation of crime on television? What are the merits of TV crime drama as a genre? The TV Crime Drama offers a genealogical account of the television crime drama from its origins in the popular culture of the 19th and 20th century to its most recent manifestations as a genre enjoying transnational circulation and popularity. Exploring the key features of the genre in terms of format and style, it pays particular attention to the role of the investigators, the police, the private investigators and the specialists in forensic science and psychology, as well as the debates which have circulated about the role and representation of women. Covering classic series such as The Sweeney and Dragnet as well as contemporary crime dramas including The Wire, The Killing and Luther, this book is an essential read for students and scholars in Television Studies. Sue Turnbull is Professor of Communication and Media Studies at the University of Wollongong. Cover image: Sofie Grabol, Fobrydelsen (DK TV series), 2007 (c) DRT/NRK/SVT / The Kobal Collection Cover design: Barrie Tullet [EUP logo] www.euppublishing.com ISBN 978-0-7486-4087-4 Barcode

Author Biography

Sue Turnbull is Senior Professor of Communication and Media at the University of Wollongong.