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Original poster

BBC Drama

135 replies

Aquarius1234 · 27/09/2024 20:02

I used to watch most bbc dramas for years and years.
Since BBC have geared everything to I Player first and foremost, rather than for specific BBC one or BBC two.
Apparently there isn't separate controllers anymore. They don't care about where the dramas land like they used to.

Anyway. I'm really disappointed with the lack of really really good dramas in the last couple of years or so.
Budget cuts also maybe.
But wow I used to say nothing beats a great BBC gritty drama. Now I wouldn't even be able to find one 😕
Romance, crime, thriller. Was my thing.
I pay my licence also and have no intention to stop. I'm just very sad at the lack of top quality Dramas. Also I've noticed when there eventually is one starting it's generally mixed or rubbish reviews. !!
I'm shocked at the amount of rubbish/ not good enough stuff that is given the green light !!

OP posts:
Nursemumma92 · 27/09/2024 21:55

I loved the Responder recently. Other than that though, I know what you mean.

Also Vigil is great- 2021 so not new but in case you missed it.

AdultChildQuestion · 27/09/2024 21:55

Sherwood? Sambre, Anatomy of a Fall? The Turkish Detective?

Not gritty drama, but Freddie Flintoff's Field of Dreams, and Race Across the World.

All good stuff.

Drivingoverlemons · 27/09/2024 21:54

foreverbasil · 27/09/2024 21:51

See, this is what I mean. I thought it was miserable and cliche-ridden as well as being shockingly badly scripted and acted.
I'm glad you enjoyed it though, we're all different

Show quote history

Did you watch it all? I thought that at first but it was brilliant by the end. I’ve watched quite a lot of good stuff on BBC lately. Ludwig is hilarious. Kin, Blue Lights, The Responder were all brilliant. The Newsreader. Maybe it depends what you want to watch.

foreverbasil · 27/09/2024 21:51

KnottedTwine · 27/09/2024 21:45

We've just finished watching The Jetty with Jenna Coleman in it - it was very good.

See, this is what I mean. I thought it was miserable and cliche-ridden as well as being shockingly badly scripted and acted.
I'm glad you enjoyed it though, we're all different

MaybeImbad · 27/09/2024 21:50

Sherwood and The Responder good recently

Loved Blue Lights. Have you watched that?

I’m enjoying Ludwig and currently watching Apples don’t fall but that’s US so may not be your cup of tea.

foreverbasil · 27/09/2024 21:48

I've had this discussion with so many people recently. Where are all the decent dramas? Most are completely unwatchable, poorly scripted with a complete lack of plot and characterisation.
Surely it would be preferable to produce fewer dramas that are actually well crafted and not...."we'll try an episode" ...an hour later ..."well we won't bother with the second episode"

Original poster
Aquarius1234 · 27/09/2024 21:47

I've been watching The Hour 2011! BBC repeat on netflix.
I didn't watch it at the time, probably thought it was gonna be too boring or something.
Really good 1st series. Series 2 wasn't as good, but still heaps better than what we have now.
Love the period.

OP posts:
PuppyMonkey · 27/09/2024 21:46

It’s sad but all the really, really good shows I’ve watched over the last couple of years are on paid for platforms like Apple, Now TV, Netflix, Prime etc.

You get the odd good one on BBC, but nowhere near the quality and production values of the other platforms.

I know it’s a bit of a Shock to move over to subscription TV but in the grand scheme of things, it’s my entertainment and I want it to be top notch. BBC just isn’t all that (and the licence fee costs more per year than all the others).

KnottedTwine · 27/09/2024 21:45

We've just finished watching The Jetty with Jenna Coleman in it - it was very good.

KnottedTwine · 27/09/2024 21:45

We've just finished watching The Jetty with Jenna Coleman in it - it was very good.

LlynTegid · 27/09/2024 21:42

Remember for 14 years there was an attempt to limit the BBC and threaten decriminalisation or the end of the licence fee. I also think that the creative freedom that allowed many of the writers who started in the 1960s and 70s to get a break is not there any more.

I also think that some of those dramas get made by other tv or subscription providers.

BIossomtoes · 27/09/2024 21:39

Try Nightrider. If you don’t like that there’s no pleasing you.

Gagaandgag · 27/09/2024 21:38

Loved Sherwood too! That actress who was in ‘Mum’ is one of my faves. Lesley something.
But as a local I must admit the amount of times they said duck was incredibly irritating

JohnTheRevelator · 27/09/2024 21:38

I've practically given up watching anything on my actual TV any more. It just seems to be endless repeats of what I've already seen. As for Saturday evening TV, OMFG,I just give up. Autumn used to be the time when good,NEW stuff came out. Not any more. I now have a 6 quid a month subscription to ITVx online. I've found plenty of good stuff on there that I've not yet seen. I'm currently working my way through the 'Grace' series.

Original poster
Aquarius1234 · 27/09/2024 21:37

I love kitchen sink type drama. Yes I like depressing too but with humour thrown in at times. Dark humour I suppose.

Thriller, romance, drama, crime all in one.

I can't put my finger on my I didn't love Sherwood. I didn't feel gripped by it.

OP posts:
Original poster
Aquarius1234 · 27/09/2024 21:37

I thought nightsleeper was too OTT . Couldn't get into it at all. Reviews spot on.

OP posts:
Snackpocket · 27/09/2024 21:35

Another vote for Sherwood, both series were excellent!

Poggishairtufts · 27/09/2024 21:34

I find so many things just so dark. Life is dark enough, I want some escapism, humour, heartwarming stories etc. I'm really not going to watch that Nightsleeper when I'm trying to relax and not get anxious about tomorrow being Monday!

LunaNorth · 27/09/2024 21:26

Sherwood was really good.
The Responder was excellent too, I thought.

MagentaRocks · 27/09/2024 21:20

Apple never falls on bbc iPlayer is good

Ludwig was a no for me too

Getitwright · 27/09/2024 21:15

Have you watched Sherwood? Superb, both series.

Getitwright · 27/09/2024 21:12

Aquarius1234 · 27/09/2024 21:08

Haha I'm after new BBC drama, not repeats! I've done the whole repeats thing.

Ah, sorry. Most big dramas made by BBC/ITV are collaborations with companies. BBC alone can’t fund alone nowadays. That’s why schedules are full of reality rubbish and wannabe’s. Cheap to make👍

GoodEveningMiss · 27/09/2024 21:09

I still pay my licence!

Original poster
Aquarius1234 · 27/09/2024 21:08

Haha I'm after new BBC drama, not repeats! I've done the whole repeats thing.

OP posts:
Tellysavelas · 27/09/2024 21:07

I can’t remember the last good thing I watched on BBC. I haven’t watched it in years.

We stopped paying the license fee years ago but I do watch non BBC channels on pay tv.

The Tv License people have been sending letters for years but the enforcement officer never showed up in all the years.

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