Killing Eve Media Industries and Audiences Flashcards
Show is based on…
-The ‘Villanelle’ novellas written by Luke Jennings
-Jennings originally wrote them as part of the Amazon’s Kindle Singles project to publish short novels by new authors as e-books
Who was Killing Eve commissioned by
BBC America and was produced in collaboration with BBC Three
Who optioned for the books
Sally Woodward-Gentle
Ownership on the show
-BBC America is partly owned by BBC Studios
-As a subscription cable TV channel that accepts advertising revenue, it
is markedly different from the Public Service Broadcaster role the BBC plays in the UK
Impact of ownership on the show
Having US financial backing will impact on the show, such as having a famous American actor, Sandra Oh, play Eve
Where was Killing Eve produced and who by
-It was mainly shot in the UK, and in locations around Europe and Russia
-Produced by a UK independent film company, Sid Gentle Films
Killing Eve as a ‘word of mouth hit’
-Though critically acclaimed, the audience responses on social media are credited with fuelling a record- breaking 82% rise in viewing figures after episode 1 aired in April 2018 the USA
-By the time the show premiered on BBC Three/iPlayer in September, it was already highly anticipated
Significance of economic factors and the BBC
-As television becomes a more global industry, international co-productions are becoming common
-The BBC has a global reputation as a quality media brand which less well-known channels/ platforms would be eager to collaborate with
Cultural industries (Hesmondhalgh)
-Though BBC Studios is a division of the BBC the challenging and imaginative elements of Killing Eve have not been restricted
-The subscription model of BBC America and the PSB model of BBC TV actually seem to offer more creative freedom
Impact of recent technological change
-Between 2016 and 2022, BBC Three was an online-only streaming service
-This provided the channel with a greater opportunity to fulfil its mission statement to provide “innovative programming” without being confined to traditional broadcast schedules
-This remit, and the success of Killing Eve in attracting a wide audience, seems to disprove Hesmondhalgh’s ideas about cultural industries
Aftermath of the success
The show was moved to the more mainstream BBC One broadcast schedule and episodes were released weekly
Success of fleabag
Established Waller-Bridge as a provocative and authentic voice for young women
This pitches the show
above other BBC thrillers
Age demographic
-Viewing figures for BBC America show that Killing Eve was particularly successful with the 18–49 demographic
-Its stylised violence, distinct aesthetic and complex adult themes make it appropriate for this age group
Using an American actress
BBC America insisted on using an American actor for Eve
-Capitalised on Sandra Oh’s fame in the romantic comedy drama Grey’s Anatomy
-This helped market a show set almost entirely in Europe to a US audience
Target audience
The feminist ideology and subversion of genre conventions would clearly target an educated, politically progressive, and culturally engaged audience
