Television drama refers to a genre of television programming that presents fictional narratives through dramatized stories, characterized by a focus on character development, emotional conflicts, and complex plots. Typically structured into episodes, television dramas can range from serialized formats, where the narrative continues across multiple episodes or seasons, to standalone episodes that resolve their stories within a single broadcast.
These dramas often explore a wide variety of themes, including interpersonal relationships, social issues, and moral dilemmas, and may be set in diverse contexts such as contemporary society, historical periods, or fantastical worlds. Television dramas can encompass several sub-genres, including crime dramas, medical dramas, family dramas, and period dramas, among others.
The genre is distinguished by higher production values, including cinematography, writing, and acting, that aim to engage viewers emotionally and provoke thought. Television dramas are a significant part of global entertainment, often attracting large audiences and critical acclaim, particularly during award seasons.