Write to TV, 3rd Edition

12 CHARACTER-DRIVEN DRAMA

“I think This is Us is successful because the struggles of the Pearson family feel real to people. At the heart of the show is a family dealing with tragedy and trauma. They’re all fighting their own demons be it weight, alcoholism, panic attacks, PTSD, abandonment issues, etc. Yet the Pearsons are a family who fight for each other and strive to be good, decent human beings. The characters are unabashedly allowed to feel their sadness yet the show ultimately provides a hopeful hour of television. It’s cathartic for people.” —Laura Kenar, writer, This is Us

ALL ABOUT CHARACTER

In the same way plot-driven dramas are about the story, character-driven dramas revolve around characters. That isn’t to say that you don’t ...