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- As well as key characters there is also constant cycle of arrivals and departures of characters and narratives in order to keep audience’s interest. When Martha died in the 1964 Corro episode, actors knew they were vulnerable and could be axed at any time.
- Suranne Jones played Karen in Corro refused to renew her contract ,was excuse for dramatic exit, back in the day this would have been seen as a crisis.
- Phil Redmond killed off 4 of the cast in Emmerdale’s plane crash to get increasing viewing figures.
- Each character is introduced with a ready-made back story and one which has the potential to generate a number of narrative strands. Characters are introduced usually based around popular character at a particular time (Mickey, the Millers.Paul Truman was created around the Paul and Anthony Truman. Madge Bishop, daughter introduced for her Kylie Minogue as Charlene)
- Characters frequently go from quiet, harmonic periods to chaotic and confusing dilemmas:
- (Little Mo then the Trevor Drama) (1986 Arthur Fowler, prison sentence for stealing because of unemployment.) (Sally in H+A and the allegations made against her)
- (Ken was known for being a boring character then the bust up between him and Mike over Deedry became the most talked about bust up in Corro’s history and 1st story to get the nation talking about the characters as if they were real)
- In order for a soap to work everyone has to know each other.
- Neighbours = successful, had teen sex appeal using young teenage actors Kylie Minogue, Peter O’Brien, Craig McLachlan, Jason Donovan and Delta Goodrem.
- Often see younger generations hanging out with older (could be criticised and argued that soaps don’t reflect contemporary life in this sense)
- (Minty and Gary having a drink with Martin) (Also in Neighbour the teen characters were often “15 going on 40” and were unrebellious)
JORDAN 1981 studies Corro and identified matriarch
Matriarch- Mothers, role of the family, central to many storylines, for example Peggy Mitchell, Pauline Fowler, Deerdry, Lynn Scully., Irene and Beth from Home + away Shelia Grant from Brookie .They all have combined roles, Susan Kennedy is a mother, wife, head teacher and business woman.
Grandmother Figure- Greater sense of wisdom, only person who can “get to” the matriarch. Lou Beale
Marriageable characters- Eligible bachelors and bachelorettes. Traditional values who are eventually going to get married. They keep the idea of marriage, as something to keep “alive”. Leah and Dan
Married Couples- young marriageable characters aspire to married couples, such as Roy and Hayley Cropper and want to “settle down”.
People who are single are portrayed badly, as it goes against traditional values, Kat Slater
Rogues – Outcasts, Nick Cotton and Charlie from Corro
BUCKINGHAM 1987 identified
- Tart Sarah Lou
- Bastard
- Gossip Coleen from H+A
BUCKMAN 1985 identified
- A decent husband Roy Cropper
- A good woman Cathy Beale the modern day woman. Mother, wife, barmaid and market seller
- Bitch- women became more powerful economically and socially, working in a “man’s world”. Role of woman changed. Josie Russell and Kim Tate
- Villain –Richard Hillman and Angela Russell
Archetypal Characters
The typical archetypal characters that can be seen to be common among soaps are:
Grandparent figure
- Wise old person, usually female
- Helps others with problems advice and support
- Lots of contacts with other characters
- Examples, Pat Wicks/Butcher/Evans, Susan Smith/Kennedy/Kinski
The Strong Female
- Independent aggressive powerful woman
- Found at centre of conflicts
- Examples, Kat Slater fulfils this role
Jack-The-Lad
- Manipulates others to his own ends
- Often stock ‘baddie’ however softens and is charming over time becoming comic relief.
- Examples, Alfie Moon-win audiences’ hearts, Paul Robinson
Feisty young female
- Young and strong willed
- Desiring independence
- Argumentative and miserable
- Examples, Tasha, Ruby, Cassie, Martha (H+A) Zoe Slater.
Troublesome Oldie
- Older, grumpy and meddling.
- Always interfering in other people’s business
- Character still loved for good intentions.
- Mo and Colleen
Characters can shift from one archetype to another if they have been in the soap long enough.
- Pauline Fowler was a feisty mother and then was a troublesome oldie and a grandmother like Lou Beale, her mother. Pauline threatened Dennis at his and Sharon’s wedding, about treating Sharon well.
- Arthur’s character has been replaced by Charlie now, spending time at one of the key locations, the allotment.
- Lenard Swinley character lived on through Reg Holdworths and Fred Elliot
Comments
These notes are based on the requirements for AQA A2 Media Studies, though will be relevant for other boards too.
Some of the examples may need updating for current exams (though still valid, there are more recent examples you could use).
