‘Representations of social, cultural and historical events can vary within long-form television dramas from different countries.’ Discuss how and why audiences might respond to and interpret these representations differently.

‘Representations of social, cultural and historical events can vary within long-form television dramas from different countries.’ Discuss how and why audiences might respond to and interpret these representations differently. 

In your answer you must: 

·         consider the contexts in which long-form television dramas are produced and consumed

·         explain how media contexts may have influenced different aspects of realism and audience response in the set episodes of the two long-form television dramas you have studied 

·         make judgements and reach conclusions about the differences in realism of social, cultural and historical circumstances between the two set episodes. 

Representations such as social, cultural and historical events - 80's in America vs Germany, Gender and class are constantly conveyed throughout long-form TV dramas internationally.  Audience reactions can depend on the age, class and gender of the viewer. Long-form TV dramas such as 'Deutschland 83' and 'Stranger Things', despite both being popular shows, have had opposite audience reactions.
Netflix's 'Stranger Things', released on the 15th of July 2016, had 14.07 million adults within the ages of 18-49 watch it within the first 35 days of release and 40.7 million global household accounts watch the show. Due to the 80's setting, it appealed to both an older and younger audience because of being nostalgic or 'vintage' which is popular to both generations. As well as that by the cast generally being middle-class household its can be seen as more relatable to viewers. The show displays various American ideologies that international fan can fine educational despite being a fictional drama, this consequently allowed ST to flourish as a new TV show internationally.  
Similarly to ST, D83 (released 17th June 2015) is a more educational LFTVD due to its historical contexts to it. Whilst this does not necessarily attract younger audiences (despite having over million views on the first season) like ST it, therefore, target the older generation who might've lived through this time. As well as that, it targeted higher classes due to these educational aspects. 
D83, much like ST, is an international success, despite the fear of it not being popular in the USA due to being subtitled. When it was first released in Germany (November 2015) D83 didn't have much success, possibly due to Germany's hard-hitting history, however, after its success in the US, it started to become popular and was eventually released in the UK in January 2016 on Channel 4 after being recommended by Walter productions.