Here are 2 PEE paragraphs comparing stock characters in Sherlock and Life on Mars: Point: Both Sherlock and Life on Mars feature the stock character of the maverick detective. In Sherlock, Benedict Cumberbatch plays Sherlock Holmes, a brilliant but socially awkward detective who solves crimes using unconventional methods. Similarly, in Life on Mars John Simm plays Sam Tyler, a modern day detective who wakes up in the 1970s. Like Sherlock, Sam uses innovative policing techniques that clash with traditional police work. Evidence: In the Sherlock mini-episode, Sherlock is seen using his skills of deduction to solve a crime by observing tiny details that others miss. This shows his maverick detective traits.

1. TV Crime Drama
LO: To explore genre conventions and
characters

2. Steve Neale – Repetition and Difference
•We understand genre through recognisable
conventions which are continuously repeated
•However, the audience would get bored if
everything was kept the same
•Therefore, there must be some difference to
keep audience engagement
“while genres necessarily involve some degree
of repetition or ‘sameness’, they are also
marked by difference, variation and change”

3. Stock Character Definition
Hero/ Heroine cop
A detective who might have qualities that corrupt or villainous on the surface but are
actually the heroes.
This detective might have unusual methods and might seem odd or even crazy.
Bad tempered but brilliant police officer
Rookie
Buddy partners
The head of a unit or force who has worked at the job for a long time and doesn't suffer
new or inexperienced characters gladly. This character is usually nearing retirement.
Forensic/ pathologist/ medical worker
This character is highly educated, and is able to profile criminals. They might be an
amateur detective or sidekick, or may work directly within the police. Tony from Wire in
the Blood is a good example.
Usually helper characters in crime drama, these individuals might help the police in
building a case against a known criminal, or they might act as donors, providing extra
information for them. If they represent the criminal, they might play a villain role in the
plot.
Informants

4. Stock Character Definition
Hero/ Heroine cop Usually at the centre of a TVCD and solves the crime.
Anti-hero A detective who might have qualities that corrupt or villainous on the surface but are
actually the heroes.
Maverick/ quirky detective This detective might have unusual methods and might seem odd or even crazy.
Bad tempered but brilliant police officer This character is difficult to deal with socially but is exceptional at the job. This
character is completely focused on the work and doesn't feel the need to be friendly.
Rookie The new kid on the block, an inexperienced character who must learn the ropes from
others.
Buddy partners Two characters who work together to solve crimes. They might be foil characters
(opposites) or may complement each other perfectly.
Grumpy, world weary superior officer The head of a unit or force who has worked at the job for a long time and doesn't suffer
new or inexperienced characters gladly. This character is usually nearing retirement.
Forensic/ pathologist/ medical worker A 'lab geek', or an individual who is an expert in a scientific field. Usually these
characters analyse crime scenes, or may never leave the lab.
Psychology expert This character is highly educated, and is able to profile criminals. They might be an
amateur detective or sidekick, or may work directly within the police. Tony from Wire in
the Blood is a good example.
Lawyers Usually helper characters in crime drama, these individuals might help the police in
building a case against a known criminal, or they might act as donors, providing extra
information for them. If they represent the criminal, they might play a villain role in the
plot.
Informants Also known as 'snitches' these characters were once criminals, and now aid the
authorities in catching criminals from the inside. They may want to escape their past, or
they might be providing information for cash.
Answers

5. Stock Characters
•Hero cop: Jack Bauer
(24), Nick Rowan ( early
Heartbeat), Aureilo Zen
(Zen).
•Heroine cop: Cagney &
Lacey, Inspector Kate
Longton (Juliet Bravo),
Jane Tennison (Prime
Suspect), Brenda Lee
Johnson (The Closer)

6. Stock Characters
•Anti-hero, e.g. Vic
Mackey (The Shield)
and Dexter Morgan
(Dexter)
•Quirky detectives,
e.g. Kojak, Columbo,
Robert Goren (Law &
Order: Criminal
Intent) and Adrian
Monk (Monk)

7. Stock Characters
• Maverick - Bad tempered
but brilliant detectives, eg,
Andy Sipowicz (NYPD Blue),
Inspector Morse, Peter Boyd
(Waking the Dead) and
Wallander
• Rookie, eg Andy McNally
(Rookie Blue), Ben Sherman
(Southland) and John Clark
Jr. (NYPD Blue)

8. Stock Characters
•Buddy partners,
e.g. Crockett and
Tubbs (Miami
Vice), Benson &
Stabler (Law &
Order: Special
Victims Unit) and
Starsky and Hutch

9. Stock Characters
•Grumpy, world-
weary superior
officer, e.g. Captain
Cragen (Law &
Order: Special
Victims Unit) and
Lieutenant Bert
Samuels (Cagney and
Lacey)

10. Stock Characters
•Forensic
scientists/pathologis
ts/other medical
professionals, e.g.
Gil Grissom/Ray
Langston (CSI: Crime
Scene Investigation),
and Dr Grayling
Russell (Inspector
Morse)

11. Stock Characters
• Psychology
experts/consultants/helper
s e.g. Fitz (Cracker), Patrick
Jane (The Mentalist), Tony
Hill (Wire in the Blood), Toby
Logan (The Listener), Dr. Cal
Lightman (Lie to Me), Alison
DuBois (Medium), Jessica
Fletcher (Murder She
Wrote), Richard Castle
(Castle) and Shawn Spencer
(Psych)

12. Stock Characters
•FBI agents, e.g.
Vivian Johnson
(Without a Trace),
Sue Thomas: FB Eye,
Don and Charlie
Eppes (Numb3rs)
and Mulder and
Scully (The X Files)

13. Eponymous hero
•A central figure detective is so crucial to some
crime dramas that the show is named after
them.
•This is what is known as an eponymous hero,
e.g. Wycliffe, Ironside, Inspector Morse, A Touch
of Frost. It could be that the there is a duo;
Dalziel and Pascoe or Dempsey and Makepiece.
•This can also be applied to another convention
of the genre like the location, e.g. Fargo

14. Sherlock – ‘Many Happy Returns’
•Watch the mini episode
•Note down any stock characters that you recognise
and any recognisable genre conventions
Compare the recognisable genre features in Sherlock
to Life on Mars, particularly focusing on stock
characters
•Write 2 PEE paragraphs