Martin Clunes’ Dire Prognosis for Terrestrial TV Drama

Martin Clunes, renowned for his role as Doc Martin, doesn’t mince words about the fate of terrestrial TV drama. According to him, streaming giants like Netflix are the culprits behind its demise.

Clunes, aged 62, recently wrapped up filming a drama in Wales, which he believes survived solely due to the actors’ strike in America, allowing British production crews to be available.

Otherwise, he contends, the allure of higher-paying jobs at streaming platforms might have halted its production.

Financial Struggles and the Influence of Streaming Platforms

Clunes highlights the financial challenges faced by TV stations, asserting that lack of funding has stifled many one-off dramas.

He notes that even full series often hinge on selling content to foreign broadcasters beforehand to secure sufficient funds for filming.

The disparity in financial resources becomes apparent, with Clunes emphasizing how streaming platforms wield extensive financial backing, making it tough for terrestrial TV to compete.

ITV’s Budget Constraints and Filming Realities

The actor sheds light on ITV’s budget limitations, explaining that it’s insufficient to finance the quality programs they aim to produce.

Clunes stresses the necessity of pre-selling programs overseas to gather enough resources for production.

He emphasizes the exorbitant cost of the filming process, primarily due to time constraints and the large crew involved.

Creativity Amidst Commercialism

Clunes addresses the intersection of commercialism and creativity, expressing a belief that commercialism doesn’t necessarily stifle creativity.

He finds working for a commercial TV station offers clarity – if the audience doesn’t respond well, there might not be a future for the show.

However, he quips about the risk of eventually being ‘rumble,’ hinting at the unpredictable nature of audience tastes and success in the industry.