An in-depth study of television as a global industry, focusing on the transnational nature of contemporary crime dramas. Learners compare two contrasting programmes (Peaky Blinders and The Bridge) to explore production, distribution, circulation, and the role of public service broadcasting in a global marketplace. The study integrates the theoretical framework (media language, representation, industries, and audiences) with specific focus on genre, gender performativity, and the impact of historical and cultural contexts.
This topic explores how television spy thrillers reflect and critique contemporary global anxieties, focusing on two key texts: *Killing Eve* (BBC America, 2018–2022) and *Tehran* (Apple TV+, 2020–). You will analyse how these series use genre conventions—such as cat-and-mouse chases, surveillance, and moral ambiguity—to engage with issues of identity, nationhood, and gender in a post-9/11, digital age. The component requires you to compare and contrast the two shows, considering their industrial contexts (e.g., transnational co-production, streaming platforms) and how they target global audiences while retaining specific cultural markers.
Studying these texts matters because they exemplify the shift from traditional, male-dominated spy narratives (like James Bond) to more complex, female-led stories that interrogate the politics of espionage. *Killing Eve* subverts the spy genre by centering on the obsessive relationship between MI5 officer Eve Polastri and assassin Villanelle, while *Tehran* offers a gritty, realistic portrayal of an Israeli Mossad agent operating undercover in Iran. Both series raise questions about loyalty, surveillance, and the ethics of state violence, making them rich for analysis in terms of representation, narrative structure, and ideology.
This topic fits into the wider Media Studies A-Level by building on your understanding of genre, narrative, and representation. It also introduces key concepts from the 'Global Age'—such as cultural imperialism, hybridity, and the role of streaming services in shaping content. You will apply theories like Stuart Hall's encoding/decoding, Laura Mulvey's male gaze (and its critiques), and David Gauntlett's work on identity to deconstruct how these texts construct meaning for diverse audiences.
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