A television serial is a story which is broadcast on television in a number of parts over a period of time.
LAMDA does not allow Learners to use a serial because the character arcs and story lines are on-going. Even if a character has been written-off, they could return at a later point in the shows run and their storyline revisited (e.g. Dirty Den Watts - Eastenders / Daniel Jackson - Stargate SG1 / Bobby Singer - Supernatural)
Some TV shows which had previously concluded, may subsequently be rebooted or release annual specials, subsequently continuing those character arcs and story lines (Frasier / The X-Files / Gavin & Stacey).
In other cases, a TV show may end but certain characters continue on within a Spin-Off, allowing for a continuation of that characters journey (Friends - Joey / Cheers - Frasier / Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Angel)
TV shows which have not yet been rebooted may still be revisited at any point during the course of the syllabus.
This also affects a Learner's ability to respond to certain knowledge questions. Where there is no definite ending for a character or story lines, the Learner cannot answer the following Assessment Criteria:
Acting Grade 6 - AC 4.2 "Explain the role of each character portrayed and how they contribute to the plot of each piece as a whole: “The character’s role within the context of each play as a whole.”
Acting Grade 7 - AC 4.2 "Explain the role of the character portrayed within the context of the piece as a whole"
Acting Grade 8 - AC 4.2 "Explain the role of the character portrayed within the context of the play as a whole"
Additionally, across a series, and sometimes for a single episode, there can be multiple writers contributing towards the development of the character arcs and storylines. This will result in the Learner being unable to respond to the Acting Grade 7 criterion AC 4.4 (Explain how the work and influences of the author are reflected in the piece as a whole)