Scene (TV series)
BBC anthology series for teenagers on controversial issues.
For over three decades, from 1968 until 2002, the BBC produced *Scene*, an anthology series aimed at teenagers. It mixed dramas and documentaries that tackled pressing, often controversial, topics. The scripts came from well-known playwrights of the time, such as Willy Russell, Fay Weldon, Tom Stoppard, and Alan Plater. Initially created for classroom viewing as part of the BBC Schools programming, the episodes were also frequently shown to adult audiences. The original idea was to provide thirty-minute pieces that would fit into English and Humanities lessons, sparking classroom discussion on issues relevant to young people, including race, drugs, sex, and disability. Several episodes won or were nominated for BAFTAs, including *Terry* (1969), *Loved Up* (1996), *Alison* (1996), *United* (1998), *Junk* (1999), *Offside* (2002), and *Stone Cold* (1998). Notable episodes include *Terraces* (1993), written by Alan Plater, about a street pressured to paint their houses in football colours; *Loved Up* (1995), following a young woman into the rave and ecstasy scene; and *Alison* (1996), a comedy-drama about a man reconnecting with his teenage girlfriend, now a single mother. *Junk* (1999) depicted a teenager’s descent into heroin addiction, while *Stone Cold* (1997) dealt with a homeless runaway threatened by a street killer. The series received positive critical reviews, praised for its high production values, and won a Prix Jeunesse in 1998 under series producer Andy Rowley. Several actors who appeared in *Scene* later found mainstream success, including Jemima Rooper, Sarah Jane Potts, Jack Deam, Lucy Davis, Adrian Lester, Sean Maguire, and Peter Howitt.
- Field
- Television anthology drama/documentary
- Nationality
- British
- Broadcast years
- 1968–2002
- Network
- BBC
- Known for
- Topical dramas and documentaries for teenagers, BAFTA-winning episodes
Lore & Background
Scene was originally conceived as a series of 30-minute dramas and documentaries suitable for showing to teenage schoolchildren as part of the English and Humanities curriculum. It was envisaged that the dramas shown would stimulate discussion in the classroom about various contemporary issues relevant to teenagers, such as race, drugs, sex, and disability. The series featured works by leading playwrights including Willy Russell, Fay Weldon, Tom Stoppard, and Alan Plater.
Selected episodes include 'Terraces' (1993), written by Alan Plater, about a street of terraced houses painted in football team colors; 'Loved Up' (1995), a BAFTA-winning drama about a young woman discovering the rave scene and ecstasy; and 'Alison' (1996), a BAFTA-nominated comedy-drama about a man returning to his hometown and rekindling a romance with his former girlfriend. 'Stone Cold' (1997), starring Peter Howitt, dealt with a runaway boy threatened by a street killer, and 'Junk' (1999) followed a teenager's descent into heroin addiction.
The series won multiple BAFTA awards for best schools drama, including for 'Loved Up' (1996), 'United' (1998), 'Junk' (1999), and 'Offside' (2002). It also received a Prix Jeunesse in 1998 under series producer Andy Rowley.
Reader's Guide
Scene holds significance as a long-running BBC educational series that tackled controversial and topical issues for teenage audiences over more than three decades. Its legacy includes high production standards and critical praise, as well as multiple BAFTA awards and nominations. The series served as a platform for emerging talent: actors such as Jemima Rooper, Sarah Jane Potts, Jack Deam, Lucy Davis, Adrian Lester, Sean Maguire, and Peter Howitt appeared in episodes and later achieved varying degrees of mainstream success. By addressing subjects like race, drugs, sex, and disability, Scene aimed to stimulate classroom discussion and provided a bridge between educational broadcasting and adult drama. Its BAFTA-winning episodes, such as 'Loved Up' and 'Junk', remain notable for their frank portrayal of youth issues. The series also featured works by major playwrights, contributing to its reputation for quality writing.
Did You Know?
- Scene was broadcast from 1968 to 2002 as part of the BBC Schools strand.
- The series won BAFTA awards for best schools drama for 'Loved Up' (1996), 'United' (1998), 'Junk' (1999), and 'Offside' (2002).
- The episode 'Stone Cold' (1997) was nominated for a BAFTA and starred Peter Howitt.
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