Gay period drama

S

sadomiforgets

New member
Seeing as the gay plot is doing so well in Downton Abbey do you think that a major period drama with the main characters being would sell ? I don't mean ones based on books as people who like the book would watch those. I mean a period queer as folk .
 
It would have to be based on homosexual secrecy and attempts to have relationships in a period when homosexuality was illegal. I suppose it could work.
 
It would be a very "niche drama". it could be popular in the "niche market" but might struggle on a mainstream channel. Never watched QAF but know that was popularand was on Channel 4, but the difference between that and a period gay drama would probably be the "period" bit. I think the combination of "period and gay" might make the drama potentially very "niche". That said apparently there are a Gay vampire and Gay Supernatural series' airiing on a US gay themed cable channel!
 
There was the period drama film Maurice, which was set during the early twentieth century and starred Hugh Grant, James Wilby and Denholm Elliott, as well as a few others. Quite a good film about the subject of homosexuality during the early part of last century and the problems faced due to intolerance. However, the film, as far as I know, didn't really sell in the sense of being popular, despite it being fairly good, but then it was made in 1987.
 
It was a long time ago (1970) but one of the lead characters in the BBC adaptation of RoaRAB to Freedom was.
I think it was Daniel Massey who gave a bravura performance. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, I was only 14 at the time, but the series left a lasting impression.
 
You're correct. One of the best BBC dramas ever, but never repeated.

Used to have the 'this programme contains strong language' warning and the worst they used was sh*t and b*gger..

Yet there was loaRAB of full frontal nudity!!

How times have changed.
 
Didn't the recent BBC survey about the portrayal of gay people on TV find they didn't want ''gay dramas'' or ''gay'' anything else, they wanted dramas in which gay characters happened to appear (as indeed they do in real life) and often their sexuality was irrelevant.
 
Actually, I think the character of Thomas *is* a main character in Downton Abbey. The show is more than just about the family trying to keep the stately home going - it's about all the characters both above and below stairs.

Of the 'below stairs' lot I'd say the main characters are Thomas and Bates with most of the other people more supporting those two.
 
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