Homework on TV Dramas

     

The female character i chose to test the stereotypes of a female role in tv dramas is 'Alex Drake' (played by Keeley Hawes) in Ashes to Ashes. The series tells the fictional story of Alex Drake, a policewoman in service with the London Metropolitan Police, who is shot in 2008, and inexplicably regains consciousness in 1981. Even though this chracter falls into some aspects of the stereotypical female, at the same time this role goes against them.
The ways in which she portrays the stereotypical female is that her physical attractions such as her figure and the fact that she is a beautiful woman overpowers the male. This pictures shows her in tight clothing, (which shows off her figure) sitting on car posing towards the camera. This would probably attract the attention of male viewers.

The ways in which it goes against the stereotypes of a females role, is that she has a job that is probably seen to be more of a 'mans' job rather than a womens. The main roles of a women are traditionally sidelined and scarce. Men are seen to have the more active and dominant roles, where as women are seen to play the more passive roles. Also in the role that she plays, she is intelligent, independant, confident and not in constant need of direction and protection from a male.

The character i think maybe fits generally more into the stereotyped female, is Effy (played by Kaya Scodelario) in the teenage programme Skins. Skins is a teen drama that follows a group of teenagers in Bristol, South West England, through the two years of college. The controversial plot line explores issues such as dysfunctional families, mental illness (eating disorders for example), adolescent sexuality, substance abuse and death. Effy fits into most of the stereotypes because she has the the physical attractions(looks and figure) a male would 'want' and her role makes her seem easy and vunerable. The importance of her role is shown as needing attention and protection from another male character, frightened and not very independant.

The picture of her portrays her character and puts the stereotypes into perspective, as she is dressed in very little and shes looking directly into the camera with a cheeky smile on her face (addressing the viewer).

 The character in a tv drama that i think has similaritys in character traits to me is Peyton Sawyer, (played by Hilarie Burton) in One Tree Hill. The reasons being our love for music, quiet but confident with a big group of friends, loyal and not afraid to try new things.